Luminaria, ribbons benefit ACS relay
Trinity Standard , May 2007

TRINITY – Luminaria to be placed around the high school track and special ribbons to be displayed at homes and business are now on sale as part of the June 15-15 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Trinity.
The luminaria – candles placed in paper bags – will be used to line the track at Tiger Stadium during the overnight relay. The ribbons will be purchased for display at other areas.
Both items are on sale for $5 each and may be purchased in memory of those who have been lost to cancer or in honor of those who have survived the disease.
The first annual Trinity Relay for Life is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the night of June 15-16 at the local high school football/track stadium.
Teams of walkers will gather to raise money to be used by the America Cancer Society (ACS) in its fight against the disease.
Those wishing to purchase luminaria or ribbons may contact local relay volunteers Theresa Gallagher at (936) 594-1234 or Stella Arnold (936) 594-4461.
According to Britt Reid, ACS’s East Texas Community Manager-Development, relays such as this are held across the nation each year to raise funds, honor cancer survivors, remember those lost and, in general, raise community awareness of the disease.
Teams of eight to 15 people from business, civic groups, families and others take part with at least one member of the team on the track at all times.
“One team member at a time walks, jogs or runs around the track for 30 minutes or other timed intervals,” Reid explained. “While the Relay is going on, team members camp out, enjoying entertainment, food, games and camaraderie, creating a community party atmosphere.”
When the event opens on Friday, June 15, the first lap will be dedicated to, and walked by, cancer survivors. All those who have battled the various forms of the disease are urged to come out and walk the opening lap.
After the survivors’ lap, the teams will begin walking.
During the evening, a candle lighting ceremony will held in which the luminaria around the track are lit
Dedicated to survivors and those who have died, the ceremony of light symbolizes the “hope and perseverance with we all continue to fight.”
Each team taking part in the annual relay will be asked to pay a $20 site registration fee and each team member is asked to raise individual donations. Individuals who raise at least $100 will receive a Relay for Life T-shirt.
There also will be special incentive prizes for those raising the most money in individual donations.
Soliciting donations instead of pledges ensures that all money is collected before the event.
For information about the Relay or to sign up a team, contact Reid at Britt.Reid@cancer.org or call 936-634-2940 or 1-800-ACS-2345.
Information also can be obtained locally by contacting Theresa Gallagher at (936) 594-1234 or Stella Arnold (936) 594-4461.