Relay For Life Set For Saturday

Relay For Life Set For Saturday

“I’m looking forward to this year’s Relay for Life which will be held beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday June 20 2009 on the Kahoka city square.  It seems like yesterday that we were organizing our first relay back in 2001 and now we are having our 9th Relay.  Time flies when you are involved in a good cause, having a great time doing it, and having such good community support,” said Relay Chair, Paula Fox.  The Relay for Life is a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society held in hundreds of communities throughout the world for the purpose of funding research, education and services in the fight against cancer.  
“This year’s activities will begin with a moving flag ceremony presented by Lowell Woods of rural Baring, Missouri assisted by Boy Scout Troop 145 which is sure to peak your emotions, said Paula Fox, Relay Chair.  The most important part of any relay is the CELEBRATION of cancer survivors which follows every opening ceremony.  Dr. David Castrodale, Alexandria Presbyterian Church pastor, a cancer survivor himself will give an inspirational talk prior to the traditional survivors opening lap around the square. Charlotte Fox, Survivor Lap Chair stated, “We are hoping for over 80 survivors to take part in the Survivors Lap and everyone is invited to help them CELEBRATE with cheers and good wishes as they walk the track.”
Following the survivors lap the ever popular Lip Sync contest will take the stage with one-half of the 11 teams performing at this time and the second half performing after the Luminaria ceremony.  “By dividing up the performances we are hoping to add to the anticipation and hopefully be able to complete the contest earlier for those people who don’t like to stay up late,” statedFox.  The teams have been working hard to perfect their performances so don’t miss the music, fun and laughter.
If you are looking for a unique Father’s Day gift or a gift for yourself or someone else, be sure to look over the baskets.  Bonnie Brewer and her committee have collected a variety of baskets from the teams and also from the community which will be auctioned around 7:45 p.m. There is sure to be something to catch your eye, so bring your pocket book and take home a basket while donating to a good cause.  The proceeds from team baskets will be credited to the team donating it.
Unfortunately, cancer does claim many lives each year and at Relay they set aside a special ceremony to REMEMBER those we have lost, as well as to HONOR those still living, by a Luminaria ceremony. If you have not yet purchased a Luminaria the cost is $5.00 each and can be purchased the night of relay until 7:00 p.m.  Again this year family & friends may light their own luminaries beginning at 8:30 p.m.  At about 8:45-8:50 p.m. the Luminaria committee chaired by Marilyn Martin will light all remaining Luminaria and at 9:00 p.m. ALL ACTIVITIES WILL STOP to honor all those individuals named on the Luminaria. Everyone will be asked to gather around the stage for the Luminaria ceremony.  
“We invite everyone to stay after the Luminaria ceremony to find out how simple it is to FIGHT BACK against cancer,” said Amanda McCreedy, fight back chair.  This will be the second year for the fight back portion of relay and it will challenge you to get involved in seemingly small but big ways.  You will not want to miss it.
If you are a night owl stay the night after the fight back ceremony and enjoy lots of fun activities including dancing, games, surprises, food and fun all night long. The Junior Tuesday club will be providing some fun activities for the teams at midnight and they are sure to be exciting.
At 5:30 a.m. a closing ceremony will be held with closing remarks by Shawn McAfee. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS