New tags and driver’s licenses weren’t the only things leaving the Covington County Probate Office Friday, as employees – all decked out in pink – sent out messages of support to those with a breast cancer diagnosis.

“We wanted to publicly show our support for those affected by breast cancer and for the on-going research in this area,” said Probate Judge Ben Bowden. “We also wanted to raise awareness of the two specialty tags we have that support breast cancer prevention, treatment and research.”

Bowden said available are the “Breast Cancer Research (UAB)” and the “Fight Breast Cancer” specialty plates. Both are available from the probate office and require an additional $50 donation to the foundations that sponsors the plates. Proceeds from the Breast Cancer Research (UAB) tag are distributed to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama to be donated to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center for breast cancer research. Proceeds from the Fight Breast Cancer tag are distributed to the Joy to Life Foundation to be used to provide mammograms for medically underserved woman under 50 in Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties and to expand the program throughout the state.

Bowden, who was wearing a pink dress shirt in honor of the day, also serves on the Legislative License Oversight Committee that reviews and approves specialty plates.

“We are proud to support the on-going effort to defeat breast cancer. Plus, I get to wear my pink shirt without people making fun of me,” he said.