Preparations in place for Wilkes Relay for Life; 25 local teams hope to raise $35,000 for cancer
By KIP BURKE news editor

The annual Survivors' Walk kicks off each Relay for Life. The 2007 Wilkes County Relay for Life begins next Friday night, but preparations have been underway since last Relay.

With the 2007 Wilkes County Relay for Life just a little over a week away, organizers say they're in good shape to make or exceed their goals for the annual fund raiser, and groups all over the county are making last-minute preparations for the May 4-5 event.

"We have 25 teams signed up," said honorary chairman Cathy Lannae, "and we've surpassed our goal for corporate sponsors with 40. We may well be halfway to our annual goal of raising $35,000 to fight cancer."

For weeks now, local teams have held yard sales, bake sales, pancake suppers, and other events to raise funds for the annual event. A silent auction was set up at the Washington Farmers Market last week, offering 10 packages of goods and services from local businesses and groups. "We have $1,000 in bids and will offer the items for bid again this weekend at the Chamber of Commerce office, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.," Lannae said.

Other ongoing fundraisers include: the W-W Humane Animal Shelter's Traveling Dog House; raffling 20 hot tamales plus sauce, (call 706-678-3058 for tickets); a raffle for a Rollator rolling cart donated by Georgia Respiratory, (call 706- 678-2862); and a raffle for teeth whitening process by Dr. Eric Pagan, (call 706-678-2931.)

On Sunday evening, a Gospel Music Fest at Springfield Baptist church from 5 to 7 p.m. will also raise funds.

Master of Ceremonies for the allnight Relay will be First Baptist youth pastor Chris Townsend. "We'll have games and activities for the whole family to raise both money and awareness," he said. "Washington Dance Academy will have dance demonstrations. We will have a Moonwalk, a cancer trivia contest, a scavenger hunt, music from Bragg & Hughes, and a special entertainer from Atlanta who will do shows at 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. And we're working on more entertainment."

Friday night at 7, the event begins with a Survivors Lap around the track, Lannae said, followed by a lap by caretakers, and then team members will start their relay. "Someone from each team walks each hour all night long until 7 o'clock Saturday morning."

At 9 p.m., one of the emotional high points of the Relay, the luminaria ceremony, will celebrate lives of those dealing with cancer and those lost to cancer with candles, a musical celebration and a ceremonial walk around track. Luminaria are available both in advance and at the Relay from Zella Bennett at 706-678-1397.

During the all-night event, participants won't lack for fuel. Groups will be offering hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, pasta, peanuts, ice cream, baked goods, peach cobbler, chili, Krispy Kreme donuts, blooming onions, funnel cakes, popcorn, egg rolls, chicken fingers, peanut brittle, Aussie chips, and for those still up, sausage biscuits and coffee at 5 a.m.

Local teams for the 2007 Relay For Life include: BiLo, Cancer Knockouts - Marcie Simpson Family, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Eric Pagan DDS, First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church - Youth Group, Georgia Peaches & Peanuts, Glit-Microtron, Ingles, JUMP, Key Club, Little River Methodist's Aloha Team, Pliant Corp., Springfield Baptist Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Twin Oak Baptist Church, Washington Church of God, Washington Dance Academy's Happy Feet, Washington Police Department, Washington Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wilkes County Senior Citizens, Wilkes Health Care Center, Wills Memorial Hospital, W-W Humane Shelter, and W-W Elementary School.

Sponsors for the 2007 Relay include Wills Memorial Hospital as the Platinum sponsor; with Gold sponsors including: The Fitzpatrick Hotel, the Blakey Family, Twin Oak Baptist Church, and Barnett Southern Corp.

Silver sponsors include: Badcock and More Home Furnishings, Bee Southern, Bumper to Bumper of Washington, CSRA Home Health Agency, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Denard and Moore Construction, Stan & Elizabeth Coe Family, Fareway Building Supply, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Farmers State Bank, Fievet Pharmacy, Griggs-Ficklen Insurance Co., Glit- Microtron, LaCabaña Mexican restaurant, Lannae Construction, McDonalds, Petal Pushers, Rayle EMC, Regions Bank, Savannah Valley Rehab, Scarborough's Inc., Sim Dill Contractor, Springfield Baptist Church, Tena's Jewelry and Gifts, the Olmstead Family, Washington Tire and Auto, Wilkes Co. Cattlemen's Association, Wilkes Health Care Center, Wilkes Telephone and Electric, and Wood Specialty Co.

Providing in-kind corporate sponsorship are: Washington-Wilkes Parks & Recreation Department, WXKT-WLOV Radio, and The News-Reporter.

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