calhoun
county
May 10 , 2013 6PM
The Calhoun County Relay for Life is coming to the McClellan Soccer Complex once again on May 10 . The Relay is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society , and it takes place over the entire evening of May 10 , starting at 5 p . m . and lasting until 6 a . m . the next day .
During the overnight campout , teams representing different organizations will take to the track to walk or run to support the fundraisers . Team members not on the field will provide entertainment , raffles and sometimes unique events to raise funds . With more than 100 groups in attendance , there ’ s going to be something for everyone .
Things like the kids zone with blow up slides , bounce houses and a gyroscope ride , and carnival food and games , face-painting , and even a fire truck .
Local bands will play short sets , and there will also be karaoke .
There ’ s also a variety of food to munch on , like hamburgers , fish , popcorn , barbecue and chicken and a lot of candy .
“ You name it and it will probably be there ,” says Kristi Yates , community representative for the ACS .
The evening starts with the Survivor Celebration at 5 p . m ., honoring those who have survived cancer and want to share their story of victory . As cancer has touched the lives of so many in Calhoun County , special recognition to friends , family and neighbors who
have won their stand against cancer is important to the community .
At 7 p . m ., the opening ceremony will officially take place , with the survivors taking a victory lap around the track , and then opening the walk up for everyone else . The walk is inspired by Dr . Gordy Klatt , who walked and ran 24 straight hours in May of 1985 , raising $ 27,000 for the ACS , and has been a yearly event ever since .
At 9 p . m ., the Luminaria Ceremony begins , as paper bags decorated with the names of those lost to cancer are lit up in the dark , often creating a border around the track , or spelling out “ Hope ”. Luminaria can be can be purchased for $ 5 , and lanterns for $ 20 , which goes toward the fight against cancer .
“ This ceremony is a time for us to reflect on those that have lost their battle , those that are still fighting and those that have won the battle ,” says Yates .
The Fight Back Ceremony will get everyone charged back up overnight to continue bringing the fight to cancer , and finally , at 6 a . m . on May 11 , the closing ceremony will remind participants of their year-round commitment to fighting cancer , and how important the steps they ’ ve taken have been .
For more information , visit www . relayforlife . org , where Luminaria can be purchased and donations may be made .