The Nevada County Sheriff's Office, alongside local fire departments and law enforcement, has successfully raised over $8,000 for breast cancer initiatives. The joint effort, known as the Pink Patch Project, was a continuation of the annual October campaign designed to boost breast cancer awareness and support research and services in Nevada County.
Across the month, personnel from various departments, including the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and the Grass Valley Police Department, donned pink patches on their uniforms. They also sold themed merchandise such as pink patches, challenge coins, and apparel, with every cent of the proceeds destined to benefit local health foundations. According to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office's Post, a total of $8,439 was collected to provide assistance to breast cancer programs, with the vast majority directed to the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation (SNMHF) and a smaller portion to the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation (TFHSF).
The campaign also included events such as the Pink Patch Pickleball Tournament, Heroes Night at Nevada Union High School, and local Halloween activities, all aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer.
A highlight of the campaign was the charity drawing for a Pink Patch shadow box, featuring challenge coins from the past five years and patches from all seven contributing agencies. This year’s winner, according to the official Facebook post, was Kelli McDaniel. Sheriff Shannan Moon presented a life-size check to SNMHF on Wednesday and thanked the hospital staff for their support.
The Pink Patch Project’s impact extended beyond fundraising, supporting both law enforcement families and the wider Nevada County community. The next breast cancer challenge coin contest is planned for late spring 2026, and Pink Patch Project activities are expected to return in October. The sheriff’s office encouraged those wishing to contribute to donate directly to TFHSF and SNMHF.
