Brothers Hal and Kemp Johnson, fourth generation owners of the K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas Company in Fuquay-Varina, finalized their decision to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in a unique fashion.

“As far as I know,” said Hal, “we are the first oil company in North Carolina to paint one of our trucks pink.”

Because many of their neighbors, church members and family members, including Kemp’s mother-in-law, are survivors, they determined that actively bringing awareness about breast cancer to rural communities by directly getting the word out, they can make an impact.

“We make deliveries of propane gas to four core areas in Wake, Harnett, Johnston and Chatham counties,” explained Hal. “If we can reach a relatively large number of people with information that can potentially save a life, well, that’s what important to us and our company.”

Deliveries are made in a small truck known as a Bob Tail, which holds 3,000 gallons of gas. The newest one was recently painted pink and bears the Susan G. Komen and Johnson Oil Company logos. The pink truck is also “green,” considered low emission, as it burns propane for engine fuel.

Now the brothers were faced with the task of assigning a driver. The drivers are large men who don’t wear pink. Much to the surprise of Hal and Kemp, the crew cut through “pink” gender issues. They clamored for the honor of driving the moving billboard. Johnny Beasley, a cancer survivor, was chosen.

Along his daily route, Beasley will be handing off printed material, supplied by the Komen organization, to customers. Johnson Oil Company pledged a donation of one cent per gallon delivered.

Another way the community can contribute is through their Web site, kbjohnson.com. If you visit their office at 1509 N. Main St., you will find a pink box at the reception desk.

Johnson is proud of the involvement of his employees. Emily Beckett, a customer service representative who joined walkers at the Race for the Cure on June 13, had this to say, “Our efforts will benefit many citizens. It makes me proud, as a woman and an employee, to work at Johnson Oil.”