Baked with Heart! Linda Colatriano Sweetens Tie the Town Pink

Every October, Dance for the Cure volunteers deliver bright pink boxes to town halls and municipal buildings across central New Jersey—each one packed with the supplies needed to participate in Tie the Town Pink, one of our signature annual awareness initiatives. This year, 54 towns joined in. And for the first time, the boxes held something extra: a bundle of homemade cookies, baked and bagged with care by longtime volunteer Linda Colatriano.

Linda is a professionally trained chef and part of the “Basket Genies,” the volunteer team behind the beautiful raffle baskets featured at Ribbons of Hope, Dance for the Cure’s annual fundraiser. This fall, she brought her baking talents to a different part of the mission, adding a sweet touch to one of DFC’s most recognizable campaigns.

The idea came from a detail that many people had noticed. Over the years, when the pretty pink boxes were delivered, town employees often commented that they looked like they might be filled with baked goods. Inspired by those lighthearted remarks, Linda decided to make that expectation a reality.

“It feels good giving to those who always help DFC,” she said. “My heart is in it to surprise the townships.”

Baking holds special meaning for Linda. “Baking always reminds me of my parents. I feel like they are there when I bake.” Her kitchen becomes a space filled with memory and care. “Sharing baked goods makes me smile,” she added. Her cookies, topped with pink sprinkles and tied with Dance for the Cure tags, brought that same warmth to dozens of municipal offices this year.

Tie the Town Pink began in 2016 and continues to grow. In late September, volunteers fan out across central New Jersey to deliver pink ribbons and awareness materials, inviting each town to display visible support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month at their municipal buildings and complexes.

Thanks to volunteers like Linda, and the generosity of our donors, Dance for the Cure has disbursed over $1.3 million to breast cancer patients in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. The funds help local individuals cover essential everyday expenses while undergoing treatment.

What began as a simple observation led to a small act of kindness that left a big impression. Linda’s thoughtful gesture was a reminder that care comes in many forms—and sometimes, it arrives tied up in a pink ribbon and sweetened with a cookie.

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