Annual Cancer Benefit Kicks Off Friday Evening

Student Council Representatives display some of the luminaria bags that have been colored by Davidson Elementary School students. Luminaries for Relay For Life are still available for $10 each from any Relay Team Member.

By Jack Gurner
Reporter

WATER VALLEY – Teams from all over Yalobusha County will be cooking, raffling, and selling at the annual Relay For Life beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday and continuing through the night at the Crawford Sports Complex.

Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back is the theme for the 2010 American Cancer Society’s national campaign, according to Glenda Gordon, event chairperson. The local Relay For Life event is in it seventh year as an annual spring fundraiser in Yalobusha County.

At press time, the event had already raised $31,000. “In this day and time we are so grateful for all the donations,” Gordon said.

An important part of the evening is the Luminaria ceremony beginning at 9 p.m. “The fifth grade and sixth grade at Davidson Elementary  have been working all year coloring the bags that you will see around the walking track,” Gordon continued.

Luminarias can be purchased until 1 p.m. at Mechanics Bank on Friday. After that, the bags can be purchased at the sports complex.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event. “It brings communities together to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, advocacy, and patient services,” said Gordon.

“We invite the community to come out to share with us and enjoy some great entertainment and great food. The Lord has blessed us with beautiful weather for the day, so we hope to see you there.”

The eight participating teams and what they will have to offer are:

• Mechanics Bank, t-shirts, chances and barbecue  and chances on a $300 Visa gift card;

• Sylva Rena – eight baskets to raffle;

• BorgWarner I & II – chances on a quilt and snacks;

• We Love Lucy – cotton candy, boiled peanuts, hamburgers, hot dogs, glow jewelry, sweet tea, and chances on a fish cooker;

• Sheriff’s Department – raffle on various items, hamburgers, hot dogs and other items;

• Yalobusha General Hospital and Nursing Home – silent auction, golf tournament, pie throwing, jambalaya, Easter Egg mystery, funnel cakes, drinks, corndogs, necklaces, and tattoos;

• Mrs. Callie Woodard /BorgWarner; and

• Bayson Chapel Prayer Warriors – the “bouncer” for children.

4:30 p.m.         
Games and activities
 
5:00 p.m.         
• Survivors Celebration
Registration and Party spon
sored by friends of survivors with
assistance by cheerleaders
• Jumpers and Slide Activities by
Derma Extreme Jumpers
Volunteers: Junior Auxiliary

6:00 a.m.                                     
Closing Ceremonies, Prayer