We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Two months can seem a long time away. For the Blaine County Relay for Life coordinating committee the two months is the time to finalize plans and get ready for the major local fundraising activity for the American Cancer Society. The Blaine County Relay for Life typically raises about $15,000, all earmarked for cancer research and support of cancer victims' needs. This year's Relay will be held the evening of Friday, July 8 with most activities at Hoon Field.
This will be the sixth year for the event. Basically funds are raised through activities of local teams-made up of members from various community organizations and clubs. The Relay is really the culmination and celebration of the community education and fundraising efforts. This year the 'walk' will end at midnight. Organizers decided the walk would draw more participation if it didn't last all night.
Special Luminaries in May
During the evening walk, around the track at the football field in Chinook, luminaries light the way for the walkers. Luminaries are paper sacks, lighted by candles inside them. Luminaries are created in memory, or honor, of loved ones who have dealt with cancer. Luminaries often have a photo of the person being honored and the honoree's name. During May the coordinating committee is selling luminaries for $5. You can get information about the Luminaria Ceremony and how to purchase luminaries by calling 357-3837.
Survivors' Dinner
For the past three years the survivors' dinner has been hosted by the Alliance Church. It's a time to recognize and honor cancer survivors. Families are also invited to attend and it's a great start to the evening. Activities then move to Hoon Field
Teams organizing and working
At the outset of this year's planning organizers hoped to have ten active teams doing fundraising and participating in the walk and activities on the evening of July 8. At a recent committee meeting the Relay planners were told there are currently nine teams already organized, with word that some others are still forming and will be participating.
Some of the teams have started their fundraising, others are still in the process of recruiting members and planning fundraising strategies. The team from the Chinook Senior Center puts together jigsaw puzzles, then frames the completed puzzle and sells them for wall decorations. Several accomplished 'puzzle-makers' produce puzzles year round. Mary Pyette, a longtime member of the Relay for Life coordinating committee, said of the puzzle fundraiser, "If a puzzle gets put together, it never goes back in the box. We make it part of the Relay fundraiser for our team at the senior center."
The Soaring Eagles, a team from the local Eagles Club, is sponsoring a no-tap bowling tournament. Another team is looking at ways to get more youth involved and making plans for some new activities to attract teens for the fight against cancer. A team from Fort Belknap was just completing organizing and was considering calling their team "Herd of Turtles." Team enthusiasm is really the key to the entire Relay for Life program.
Sponsors are also being sought for the July 8th event. Sponsors help underwrite the major costs of holding the Relay. Sponsors' names, often businesses, are listed on the event tee-shirts and other advertising during the Relay. Art Kleinjan has information about the sponsor program. If you have a group that would like to form a team, or you individually would like to be a part of a team, call Mary Pyette at 357-4129.
Jalyn Keighley is a Community Manager of the American Cancer Society. She is the liaison between Blaine County and the state cancer organization. She can answer specific questions about the Relay for Life program and can be reached at 406-868-4033 or email her at jalyn.keighley@cancer.org.
