For Robert Goodall, it seemed like more than just a coincidence.
Goodall, of Upper Allen Township, acquired a red, vintage 1968 Ford Mustang convertible by mistake. He unwittingly bought it in an auction by sitting on his phone in his back pocket.
Amazingly, it was the exact same model, in the exact same color, that his late wife Alice said she always wanted.
And if all that weren’t coincidence enough, the car was priced at $50,000, the exact amount remaining from her life insurance policy, Goodall recalled.
That’s where Pink Hands of Hope came into play.
Pink Hands of Hope is a nonprofit that runs a thrift store and other programs supporting women with breast cancer in central Pennsylvania. Its stated mission is “to enhance the lives of those affected by breast cancer by offering free products and services,” according to the organization.
Goodall, owner of Mechanicsburg-based Goodall Pools & Spas, said that he looked at “several causes” before donating his late wife’s clothing to Pink Hands of Hope. Although Alice Goodall never had breast cancer, Robert noted that “cancer has been in my family.”
“I really wanted to find something meaningful,” he said. “I found (Pink Hands of Hope Executive Director Debra Donadee) and brought clothes because she needed them. She had a flood in the basement that ruined some of the thrift store merchandise that was stored there.”
Goodall’s next step? He donated the gorgeous Mustang to Pink Hands, which, in turn, is now conducting a fundraiser raffle of the vehicle.
“This is the biggest endowment we’ve ever received,” Donadee said.
The raffle is coordinated by Platinum Central Pennsylvania, which includes Platinum Pre-Owned Carlisle and Platinum Mitsubishi Mechanicsburg. The joint enterprise also has sponsored Pink Hands through in-store sales events that involve donating a portion of sales to the group.
The Mustang remains on alternate display at both dealerships throughout the raffle. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at the dealerships or Pink Hands’ thrift shop in Hampden Township. The vehicle also is slated for display at next year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show in early January.
“We like to support local causes, and we really like Pink Hands of Hope,” said Cammi McCall, director of operations for Platinum Pre-Owned.
Additionally, the firm has supported Gold Star families, local police, and “several other charities” through fundraiser and sales events, she said.
The car raffle’s winner will be announced on June 6, 2026, at the Carlisle Ford Nationals car show, which is scheduled for June 5 to 7 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, where the vehicle is set for display. Raffle tickets will be available at the car show before the drawing.
Someone Cares
Pink Hands of Hope was founded in 2009 by Brian and Laurie Gaughen, a couple burdened with medical debt and struggling for assistance after Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result, the Gaughens vowed to help others who struggled with the same financial situation, starting a thrift store to fund various assistance programs.
“Our overall mission is to help the lives of women with breast cancer, but really, we help any sort of cancer,” Donadee said. “We’ve also helped men and children.”
Since 2009, Pink Hands has assisted more than 5,000 patients, according to the organization.
“We’re funded through our thrift store, but we also get of lots of fundraisers done for us,” Donadee said. “Schools, companies, and individuals have done fundraisers for us, while some just send us donation checks.”
The organization also accepts thrift shop item donations.
The thrift store offers “a full line of products for individuals navigating through cancer,” which includes free wigs and wig stands, bras, chemo caps, hats, scarves and shawls, port pillows, and hands and feet neuropathy packs. Bathing suits for prosthetics and clothing for patients in treatment also are available.
“Cancer patients often lose or gain weight during treatment, so a lot of the time, they need clothing in different sizes,” Donadee said. “We also have different products for surgery, radiation and chemo.”
However, all this is “only half” of what Pink Hands does, Donadee noted. The organization also pays for qualifying medical bills through its Helping Hands of Hope program. They also provide gas cards for transportation to and from treatments through its “Miles of Hope” program.
Finally, the organization offers a six-month “Pink Angels” program during which volunteers “reach out (to cancer patients) and make sure they know that someone cares,” Donadee stated.
“When women first come to us, they’re sad and they’re crying, but they leave here smiling,” Donadee said. “Our volunteers are survivors who tell them they’re going to be OK.”
Pink Hands of Hope is located at 5325 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg (Hampden Township). For more information, visit www.pinkhandsofhope.org or call 717-620-8264.
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