Relay for Life set for this weekend

HEGINS - The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Tri-Valley will be held this weekend, Friday and Saturday, June 15-16 at the Tri-Valley High School. The 24-hour event will run from 3 p.m. to 3 p.m., non-stop.

The event is celebrating it's 11th year. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's premier event to raise funds for Cancer research and many other services provided by the ACS. Persons sign up for teams, whether it be a group of co-workers, friends, family, etc. and ask people or businesses to sponsor them as they walk laps around the front parking lot of the high school. Every step a participant takes is another dollar toward research and services.

The theme for this year's event is "Tri-Valley Has Talent." Local talent acts will include singing, baton routines, a karate demonstration and more.

The event will be held rain or shine and the public is encouraged to come out and be a part of this community event. Whether you are involved with a team, are a cancer survivor yourself, or just want to come and enjoy the activities, you are welcome to join in.

Walkers will begin walking the front parking lot at 3 p.m., but the official start will be held at 6 p.m. when State Representative Mike Tobash will address those in attendance by giving information about state health care and the status of the smokeless tobacco bill. A roll call of teams will be announced and the Boy and Girl Scouts will present the colors. The Tremont Community Band will provide music.

At 7 p.m. Cancer survivors will be honored and recognized during the survivor lap and reception. Cake and punch will be served to all survivors registered. Each survivor will also receive a T-shirt and free gift and will have the opportunity to sign the survivor banner. All Cancer survivors are encouraged to sign up for the survivor lap and can do so by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 and tell them you are a survivor that would like to participate in the survivor lap at the Tri-Valley Relay for Life. Cancer survivors can also register for the lap at the event on Friday.

On Friday evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. those signing up for the talent show will perform their various acts and vie for a trophy. The audience will help to determine the winner of the talent shows. Performers will collect monetary donations to help boost their votes.

Immediately following the talent show, Leslie Herb, will give calls for a square dance and will have line dancing lessons.

At 10 p.m. all relayers and visitors from the public will gather in the center of the parking lot and will remember those who have lost their battle with Cancer. Luminary bags will be sold for $10 each and will circle the track with the names of family members and loved ones, both in honor of those fighting the battle and in memory of those who have lost their battle. The candles will be lit, special musical performances will take place and Phyllis Klouser, of Valley View, will share her late husband, Larry Klouser's story and his battle with the disease. Klouser was a life-long resident of Valley View and was a retired history teacher at Tri-Valley High School.

Luminaries can be purchased at The Citizen-Standard office prior to the event. They will be sold at the event until 9:30 p.m. Friday night.

Fun events are planned throughout the night for those who are planning to brave the 24-hour event. Hot dog eating contests and other competitive games will be played and DJ Earl will keep the tunes flowing throughout the entire event.

Something new to this year's event will be two zumba classes offered Saturday morning. At 8 a.m. the crew who normally does zumba at the Hegins Fire Hall will hold their class at the Relay for Life and the group that normally has class at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley View, will hold their class at the relay at 9 a.m.

"We have something else new planned for Saturday morning at this year's event," says event co-chair Curtis Zemencik. "This year the high school football Coach Mike Kogut approached the Relay committee and asked if he could hold a punt, pass, kick event for youth during the Relay for Life."

The punt, pass, kick is open to youth ages six to 14. For more information contact Coach Kogut at 570-682-3125 ext. 811.

Kogut can be reached by calling the Tri-Valley High School at 570-682-3125.

This year's event will again feature many different kinds of food available for your eating pleasure. There will also be many raffles to take a chance on as well as items to buy.

"Even if you're not on a team, come out and visit the relay for life and learn what it's about. Feel free to come and walk the track, visit the team stands and take a chance on the raffle items. The Relay for Life offers something for everyone.

There will be representatives from the American Cancer Society present at the event to answer any questions the public may have concerning how our Relay dollars are used and what services are available to cancer patients. Feel free to visit the registration tent to speak to a representative.

The goal of this year's event is to raise $65,000, but even if the goal isn't reached, every dollar and every cent helps to raise funds for research and to possibly be one step closer to the cure so that loved ones can celebrate another birthday.

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