Despite Rain-Out—

Relay Earnings Approach

The Quarter-Million-Dollar Mark

By John Voket

It might be described as “the little Relay that could!”

Despite being forced to close after just a few hours by dangerous threatening lightning storms, a wrap-up event brought the community’s Relay For Life celebration to a close less than a week later as volunteers and supporters gathered for live entertainment, a mini-luminaria ceremony and a moving amateur mini-documentary.

And the best news of all, according to 2010 Relay For Life Chairman Addie Sandler, is that at last count, the Newtown effort this year was approaching its goal of raising $250,000 toward research, education, and outreach services conducted by the American Cancer Society.

On Thursday, June 10, Relay For Life of Newtown held its Celebration of Hope to complete Relay For Life activities that were canceled June 5. As the celebration commenced in the auditorium of the middle school, Ms Sandler thanked all those who worked so hard planning the local event, focusing first on the dedication and professionalism of local Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Carl Samuelson and his staff, who she said “acted heroically in evacuating the field with the threat of dangerous storms.”

 A few minutes later, the documentary, filmed and produced by Newtown High School Senior Shradha Sahani, was shown, detailing the heartfelt commitment of Newtown residents who were actively fighting back against cancer. It featured excerpts from meetings and interviews with survivors, caregivers, American Cancer Society representatives, corporate sponsors, and volunteers.

The Luminaria Ceremony was modified to accommodate the indoor venue by lighting glow sticks, local residents Bianca Crudro and Bob Elliott gave inspirational musical performances, and a slide show of loved ones who have battled cancer was shown. 

Children and teenagers who were participating in Relay to honor and remember loved ones read the poem We Remember Them, closing with the final line, “As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.”

Two gentlemen Newtown Relayers, Sam Smith and Rex Warren, shamelessly competed for the title of Miss Relay by dressing up and collecting donations which also contributed to the grand total being turned over to the American Cancer Society.

“Together they raised close to $600,” Ms Sandler told The Newtown Bee. “Rex Warren collected slightly more money so he was crowned the winner.”

The abbreviated final 2010 Relay event wrapped up with the finance committee recognizing participants who raised more than $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000, and a standing ovation was given for Janelle Graham who raised $6,297.10, making her the number one fundraiser for 2010.

Looking ahead to Newtown 2011 event, Team Mentor Laura Warren gave attendees tips for fundraising over the summer and fall. 

Looking forward to a less stormy experience in 2011, Ms Sandler confided that she has already begun preparations, and has adopted a theme that served the community well this year. She said the theme for 2011 will be “Another Birthday is a Gift in Itself.”