Hundreds set to walk in Wilkes Relay for Life

Months of planning and fund-raising will come together Friday night at 7 o'clock as the Third Annual Wilkes County Relay for Life steps off at the Washington-Wilkes Parks and Recreation track off Lexington Avenue.

"The Relay committee and teams would like to encourage everyone to come out and participant in the activities," said organizer Amy Treadwell. "Bring a chair and enjoy the fun. Everyone is invited to walk even if you aren't on a team."

More than 400 local people have signed up to walk or to volunteer for the event, she said.

The evening will start with the inspiring Survivors' Lap, a journey around the track for cancer survivors as their friends and loved ones cheer them on from the sidelines. A Caregivers' Lap will follow, when loved ones join survivors for a lap.

After dark, participants will hold a luminary ceremony, lighting hundreds of candles in honor and in memory of those fighting and who have fought the battle. Luminaries are available up to the time of the ceremony.

The night will be filled with activities and entertainment, all focused on raising the targeted $35,000 for the American Cancer Society.

One highlight of the night will be the "Relay Idol" singing contest. "It's open to the public," Treadwell said. "Anyone interested should sign up beginning at 8 p.m. at the stage. In keeping with the theme of 'Rock and Rollin' for a Cure,' contestants will then pick three songs to sing from the 50s and 60s era."

Voting for "Relay Idol" will be done by members of the Relay teams. Prizes will be awarded to the contest winner and also to the People's Choice Winner, to be determined by the amount of donations each performer collects.

The Washington Police Department Relay team will conduct a Jail & Bail operation as they have in the past.

"If you wish to have someone picked up and jailed," Lt. Theodosia Glenn said, "you may do so for a $25 or more donation. After the donation has been paid, the offender will be picked up by the Washington Police Department in a police vehicle and taken to jail." Advance go-tojail tickets are available for purchase at the Washington Police Department. In order for the offender to be released,

Glenn said, they must donate twice the amount donated when jailed before they can be released. "Get-out-of-jail-free cards can also be purchased, and are available for a donation of $50 each. Get-out-of-jailfree cards cannot be used until the subject had been picked up, transported and jailed."

While team members walk, there will be activities and games for kids and adults throughout the night at various tents. Games include hula hoop and limbo contests, face painting, a Teddy Bear toss, nail painting, marriage vow renewals, ring toss, putt-putt, sack races, volleyball and more.

Just so no one passes the evening hungry, food will be available, including hot dogs, sausage dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked goodies, roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts, homemade ice cream, nachos, popcorn, snow cones, pork skins, dill pickles, pastries, scrambled eggs, omelets, (late night) coffee, assorted drinks and water.

This year's Relay teams include some 400 people from Pompeys Chapel Baptist Church, Heartfelt Productions, Wilkes County Love Connection, Pliant Corp., Regions Bank, JUMP, Wills Memorial Hospital, Twin Oak Baptist Church, Springfield Baptist Church, Wilkes Health Care, Washington-Wilkes Elementary School, UMC Little River Methodist Charge, First Baptist Church, Beta Sigma Phi, W-W Primary School, Washington Police Department, Church of the Mediator, Wilkes County Senior Citizens Center, Tignall Baptist Church, and Glit-Microtron Inc.

Corporate sponsors include Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington Seventh Day Adventist Church, Twin Oak Baptist Church, Fitzpatrick Hotel, Lannae Construction, Fareway Building Supplies, Church of the Mediator, The Garden Party, CSRA Home Health, Regions Bank, Rayle EMC, Bumper to Bumper, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Standard Auto and Equipment, Dr. Angela Butler-Rice, Wilkes Health Care Center, Springfield Baptist Church, Sim Dill Contractor, In Memory of Ralph and Lee Buffington, Washington Tire Auto Service, Savannah Valley Rehabilitation Center, Glit -Microtron Inc., Wilkes Telephone & Electric Company, LaCabaa Mexican Restaurant, and Badcock Home Furniture.

Friends of the Relay include: Hunter-Finnell House Bed and Breakfast Inn, Kettle Creek Arms, R.L. Harper Development Company, Hexcel of Washington, J & J Cleaners, and White Rock Baptist Church.

Other supporters include: United Country Griggs Realty, Tena's Jewelry & Gift Shop, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Andrews Quick Lube, Washington Ford-Mercury, Washington Dance Academy, Fievet Pharmacy, Burt Lumber Company, NAPA Andrews Auto Parts, FCCLA, White Rock Baptist Church, Pliant Corp., Mr. and Mrs. Hansford Sams, Heartfelt Productions, W-W Parks & Recreation, WXKT, and The News-Reporter.