Relay For Life kick-off party scheduled for Oct. 26
The local co-chairs of the 2011 Relay For Life are inviting everyone in the community to a kick-off party scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26.
They are organizers Suzanne Roberts and Shanell Moneghan, both teachers at J. Colin English Elementary. The event will be informative and fun, said Roberts.
The kick-off will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Corner Creek Ranch on Huffmaster Road.
“We will have clowns, live entertainment, pony rides, hay rides, bounce houses and a barbecue,” Roberst said. “We will also be having a presentation about how the community can get involved in this year’s Relay.”
The Relay itself will take place May 21 and 22.
It is a personal cause for Co-Chair Moneghan. “I’ve lost three of my grandparents to cancer. It has affected both sides of my family. I don’t want my son to have to hear the words ‘You have cancer’.”
“We are making the event bigger and better next year,” Roberts said. “We are having a live dove release in honor of those we have lost to cancer, live bands all night long, a dance recital, clowns, facepainting, bounce houses, and about a million more things.”
Roberts said the 2009 event raised about $6,000. “Last year we raised over $20,000 tripling that amount, and we hope to raise $35,000 at the next Relay.”
She said current needs are more teams, corporate sponsors and survivors and caregivers to be honored during the event. “We also need community members to help with the planning.”
Relay For Life is a two-day event where teams offer activities to raise funds. There were 12 teams last year and they are hoping to have at least 15 for the next event. Teams can be family and friends, from schools or businesses or community members.
“Our theme is ‘Relay Around the World’ and every team will pick a country to represent. We have many schools involved including Island Coast High, North High, Tropic Isles, J. Colin English, Bayshore Elementary, Orange River Elementary, and James Stephens Academy.”
The kick-off party is free and open to the public and will be “kid friendly.”
Nickole Hendra will again by the American Cancer Society coordinator for the event. For information call her at The American Cancer Society at 936-1113 ext. 3904 or e-mail Roberts at suzannealexis@aol.com.