That was the way to make sure a very important promise between you and your friend or sibling was going to be kept. You would both take your little fingers (the pinky fingers) from one hand, link them together and with a confirming tug, seal the deal. I know I made many pinky swears when I was a kid, and hopefully kept all those promises. Don't have a clue as to what they were any longer. Do you remember any of yours? A father, Steve Chepokas, will never, ever, forget the pinky swear he made with his son.

It was Christmas time, 2002, and a compassionate, nine year old boy, Mitch Chepokas, Mitch All Star Cardwith a giving nature and terminal bone cancer was in the hospital giving away all the money he had saved to other kids with cancer that were in the hospital with him. He wanted to make sure that they would all be able to have something for Christmas. Seeing how happy it made these children was such a great experience for Mitch that he expressed the desire to do it again next year. When his parents unbearably, reminded him that it may not be possible, here is what happened next. "Mitch looked at his father and said, "Dad, promise me you will keep helping kids with cancer! Pinky swear with me that you will do it forever!"

Mitch passed away April 11, 2003. Mitch's father kept his promise and in his memory, Steve and Becky Chepokas formed the Pinky Swear Foundation to honor Mitch's commitment to helping others.

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Since its inception in 2003, Pinky Swear has raised more than $13 million to help support families whose children are bravely battling cancer across the U.S. The foundation assists with non-medical expenses like rent and mortgage payments, auto payments and repairs, and getting food on the table.

We at KLN Family Brands, place a priority of giving back in support of our communities both locally and thoughout the United States and knowing the pain and hardships that fighting pediatric cancer involves, KLN decided to partner with the Pinky Swear Foundation, committing to raising $1 million over the next 5 years for families affected by pediatric cancer.

Join us in helping kids fight cancer. You can support this initiative by purchasing our specially-marked bags of NutriSource pet foods that has the Pinky Swear logo on them. PinkySwearGraphic1 - Copy

Learn more about the foundation and Mitch at www.pinkyswear.org.

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