- By Marie Tolonen for Mesabi Tribune (published 9/24/25)
CHISHOLM — In its history Valentini’s Turns Pink has raised more than $402,000 for Angel Fund to provide financial assistance for patients undergoing cancer treatment in Northeastern Minnesota.
“Since October 2013, we have hosted our annual ‘Turn Valentini’s Pink’ event in honor of our sister-in-law, a breast cancer survivor,” Cindy Marturano, a co-owner of Valentini’s and coordinator of the annual one-day fundraiser, said. “Each year, proceeds from this initiative are donated to the Angel Fund of Northeastern Minnesota, supporting local families affected by cancer on the Iron Range.”
This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to closing. Valentini’s is serving its regular lunch menu that day, and will have a limited evening menu. Reservations are being accepted now and are recommended.
“We just keep doing it obviously because there’s a need,” Paul Marturano, Cindy’s husband said in an earlier interview.
Cindy, earlier this week, said the event is important to continue, adding, “it’s not just for breast cancer, it’s for all cancers, and obviously it hits close to home for us; this year especially, we have a lot of friends and family members that are going through issues, and we feel it’s just a great way to help out our own community.”
Valentini’s Turns Pink has grown into an area-wide effort and is dependent on the support of individuals and businesses from across the region.
“Some of our customers and close friends have donated bigger prizes already,” Cindy said.
“We’ve already received donations from lots of businesses around the Range, but obviously we need more — we couldn’t do it without their support,” she said.
Photos of some of the prize donations are listed on Valentini’s Facebook page, and more will be added as they continue to come in.
Valentini’s is a family-owned establishment and has proudly served the community since 1934.
The staff at Valentini’s plays an important role in keeping everything running smoothly for Valentini’s Turns Pink.
“We couldn’t do it without our staff,” Cindy said.
Volunteers from Angel Fund also help with the event.
Ways to make a difference
Along with raffle prizes and Bonanza large prize raffles, There are some fun, new ways to raise money for cancer patients this year.
“Cancer Socks”—“We’re selling random socks for $5,” Marturano explained. For each pair of socks purchased, your name goes into a prize drawing.
Vikings socks, kids socks, Ninja socks, and other fun designs are available to pick from once the socks go on sale sometime next month.
Bark Design is creating commemorative Valentini’s Turns Pink T-shirts that will be for sale, and Sharon Polcher donated water bottles and coffee mugs that she created for Pink, Marturano noted.
Valentini’s Turns Pink has become known for large raffle prize Bonanza, made possible through the Range-wide support of businesses and individuals. This year is no exception.
Bonanza prize raffle tickets are on sale for $20 apiece and are available at the usual outlets, including: Valentini’s, Tom & Jerry’s, Jim’s Sports Club. Some of the large prizes being raffled off include: a chest freezer with Fraboni’s meats, an electric scooter, a big water slide with bounce house for the kids, a garden cart filled with accessories, and a home security system. The large prize raffle drawings take place on October 24, at about 8:30, after the small raffle drawings. Need not be present to win.
Tickets for smaller prize baskets will be available starting at 11 a.m. on Oct. 24 with the drawing that evening. Need not be present to win.
C & L Distributing, of Hibbing, is once again raffling off a pink Ultra cooler. For every Ultra purchased, you get to put your name in a drawing for the cooler.
They are also donating a portion Ultra of sales from area to Angel Fund, Marturano noted.
Also new to this year’s event is Jaimi Anderson with Pretty Simple Jewelry with permanent jewelry with breast cancer ribbons—custom fit jewelry, such as bracelets that is welded on will be on hand for the Val’s Pink event during the day.
Donations are being accepted including monetary donations, gift cards, and raffle items.
“Your participation will enable us to continue assisting Angel Fund in its mission to provide meaningful support to our family members, loved ones, co-workers and neighbors facing cancer in Northeastern Minnesota.
To make a donation, please contact Valentini’s Supper Club at 218-254-2607, or via email at vsc2607@hotmail.com, or mail a check to Valentini’s 31 West Lake Street Chisholm, MN 55719.
For lunch and/or dinner reservations for Valentini’s Turns Pink call 218-254-2607.
Here is what you can expect during the month leading up and on Friday, Oct. 24th:
RAFFLES:
- $2 and $5 raffle tickets sold on site on Friday between 11 a.m. and roughly 8 p.m. Tickets are put at each basket of buyer’s choice (this will take time due to the volume of options!). Need not be present to win!
- $20 Pink Raffle Tickets on sale now through roughly 8 p.m. Friday. These are large ticket items/packages. One ticket picked per package. Need not be present to win!
Raffles album (view all raffle items here): https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=VSC2607&set=a.1343651657770729
ITEMS FOR PURCHASE:
- Cancer Socks Raffle: Spend $5 on a pair of socks and receive a ticket for a chance to win a pair of MN Wild tickets.
- Pink Squad T-shirts: Women’s styles, sizes S-2XL $15
- Tumblers by Sharon Polcher
- Drink Ultra = raffle ticket. Raffle to ticket = a chance to win a PINK ULTRA COOLER! Portion of sale will be donated to Angel Fund by C&L Distributing.
ALSO:
- Pretty Simple Jewelry will be on site Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Split the Pot – need to be present to win!