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2008 Wilkes Co. Relay for Life successful, months of fund-raising surpass all goals
"There were so many wonderful moments," said Relay chairman Cathy Lannae, "from the Survivors' Walk and Caregivers' Lap at the beginning, to watching people up and walking laps at 3 a.m. So many people have worked so hard for so long to make this happen, and the Relay this year has just been aweinspiring and humbling." The Relay organizers had already achieved their fund-raising goal of $50,000 before the event actually started, and although donations are still being counted, the total is expected to exceed $64,000 for the 2008 Relay. "Fund-raising started months ago," Lannae said, "and has been very successful even before the event." Forty-five corporate sponsors provided support to the event, and the 21 local teams have held bake sales, yard sales, suppers, cookouts, and other events in preparation for the Relay. Even young children have taken part in the team fund-raisers. Led by their own Relay team members, students and staff at Washington-Wilkes Primary School raised $2,353 by giving up their ice cream, filling a penny jug, and other creative methods. "These kindergarteners, first-graders, second-graders, and third-graders prove that you're never too young to help your community," Principal Dr. Rosemary Caddell said. "School is the perfect place for children to learn the meaning of helping others and of making a difference in the community." The evening started with the traditional recognition of cancer survivors ceremony and a Survivors' Lap led by Youth Chairman Chris Charping, followed by a Caregivers Lap during which friends, family, and other caregivers joined the survivors. On the third lap, members of 21 local teams made the Team Lap. Then, throughout the night, each team kept a walker on the track, walking to commemorate those on the cancer journey and to emphasize the message that cancer never sleeps. Highlights of the evening's entertainment included a flyover by Lincolnton stunt pilot Gary Ward, who formed a purple smoke ribbon in the sky and made a low pass over the crowd filling the W-W Parks and Recreation field. Relay attendees also enjoyed performances by the Washington Academy of Dance, the Springfield Baptist Choir, Alyssa Stewart, Gracen Ware, "Sister Act Meets the Blues Brothers" from the Little River Aloha Team accompanied by Freddy Brown, and Dr. Erick Pagan singing the national anthem. Bradley Barber had the audience rolling as he performed as "Miss Relay," instructing local girls on the art of the pageant wave and other lady-like skills. As always, Master of Ceremonies Chris Townsend kept things moving as walkers hiked through the night. "We had lots more local folks stay overnight this year," Lannae said. The Relay wound up with the closing "Fight Back" ceremony at 6:15 Saturday morning. Wilkes County Commission Chairman Sam Moore and Commissioner Donna Hardy addressed the early-morning crowd. The Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is the largest outdoor fund-raiser across the nation and brings together more than 3.5 million people every year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower communities to fight back against this heartbreaking disease.
2008 Relay Teams include: Church of the Mediator, Clifford Grove Baptist Church, Farmer & Merchants Bank, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Georgia Peaches & Peanuts, Heritage Health Care of Wilkes, Little River Aloha, Pliant Corp., Rayle EMC, Regions Bank, Springfield Baptist Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Twin Oak Baptist Church, Washington Church of God, Wilkes County Love Connection, Wilkes County Seniors, Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington Police Dept., W-W Primary School, W-W Elementary School, and W-WCHS.
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