Writer / Ali Duff
On June 18, First Lady Karen Pence (also joined by her husband, Governor Mike Pence) met the Indy SurviveOars at Geist Reservoir and presented them with not only Vera Bradley bags, but also words of encouragement and hope. The women of the SurviveOars are Indiana’s only breast cancer survivor dragon boat team.
“It gives me great pleasure to share the Vera Bradley bags with the dragon boat team members,” Pence said. “Vera Bradley’s signature charity supports breast cancer awareness and the continued search for a cure. Her dedication to this cause through the First Lady’s Charitable Foundation provides a wonderful connection to these women and honors their personal stories of survival and hope.”
The special pink-flowered Vera Bradley bags were designed for Pence’s inaugural First Lady Luncheon this past April in support of the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation. The Foundation was started by Pence in August of 2013 as a means to acknowledge and support charities around Indiana.
Pence also encouraged the Indy SurviveOars to apply for a grant from the First Lady’s Charitable Foundation.