Attendees at the Feb. 8 unveiling of the new pink truck bed at the Westmoreland Kemmerer Coal Mine enjoyed refreshments and visiting with friends and family. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

It’s easy for outsiders to speak ill of small-town life. They may look at the miniscule population number on a city limit sign and say to themselves, ‘What makes people want to live here?’

But those naysayers need only attend an event like the one at Westmoreland on Feb. 8 to see the power of a small community.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, community members gathered at the Westmoreland mine to learn the facts of breast cancer, support local breast cancer survivors and see the mine’s new bright pink haul truck that was purchased in support of breast cancer awareness.Community members wore pink to show support at the event.

They enjoyed refreshments and visiting with neighbors and friends.

And, of course, climbing up into the cab of the big new haul truck was a thrill for kids and adults alike.

Event attendees were encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness, and this little Kemmerer tyke was all decked out. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Michelle Pollard, the customer service representative shipping coordinator for the Westmoreland Kemmerer mine, organized the event and coordinated the purchase and delivery of the truck with the pink bed for the mine.

Pollard was also instrumental in involving local breast cancer survivors in the event.

“What a great show of community support,” Pollard told the Gazette.

Sandy Sellers, a radiologist at South Lincoln Medical Center, reminded the women present to get their regular mammograms and remind their female friends and relatives to do the same.

“Early detection is so important,” Sellers said.

The new mine truck, which has the capacity to haul 240 tons of coal, is a very visual reminder of the community’s support for breast cancer survivors and the need for regular cancer screenings.

Deborah Bassett from Wyoming Cancer Resources spoke at the mine truck event to remind women of the importance of screenings and early breast cancer detection. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Deborah Bassett from Wyoming Cancer Resources told the crowd about the screenings, which can often be provided for free to a patient, that her organization offers.

“It’s so important to get this information to everyone in the community,” Bassett told the Gazette at the event. “This is a great community event to remind people to get their screenings.”

After a group photo of all attendees in front of the bright pink truck bed, Pollard invited any breast cancer survivors in attendance to be recognized in front of the crowd. Survivors were presented with a pink rose, and the audience clapped as the women stood in front of the bright pink truck.

Local breast cancer survivors were honored at the Feb. 8  Westmoreland pink truck event. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Breast cancer survivors and event attendees were invited to sign giant ribbons to commemorate the event at the mine. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Two Kemmerer Junior High students visit by the new pink mine truck at Westmoreland. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)