PARSONS – On Thursday, participants, team members and organizers met to begin the process of planning for the 2015 Relay for Life, and the group is hoping more folks will join in and participate in this year’s relay. Tucker and Randolph counties will again join together for this year’s event, slated from noon to midnight June 6 at Elkins Town Square.
Director for the 2015 Relay, Brittany Small, said she is excited for this year’s Disney themed event.
“During Thursday’s meeting, we went over committee positions,” Small said. “We currently have one team from Tucker County and 10 so far from Randolph County.”
Small said they are looking for more groups and volunteers from Tucker County.
“Anyone who would be interested in forming a committee or being on a team can sign up at www.relayforlife.org/randolphwv,” Small said. “We have teams that would welcome participants from Tucker County.”
The 2015 Relay for Life kicks off at noon with a survivor lap for those who have fought the cancer battle, a caregivers lap for those taking care of cancer survivors and their families and a luminiaria ceremony in memory of those who lost the battle with cancer. Teams raise money, set up fun themed tents for their team and sponsor food and fun for those attend the event.
Small said the group will sponsor a survivor breakfast, and that date will be released in the future. Survivors should register and plan to attend the event and participate in the survivor lap. The event includes a silent auction, game show, singers, dancers and speakers. “We would like to get in contact with all cancer survivors in Tucker County to make sure they come not only to the relay, but the survivor’s breakfast.”
“Last year a group walked from Parsons to Elkins along the Highland Trail right before the Relay for Life to raise money and awareness of the event,” Small said. “I believe the group plans to do that again this year.”
Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Small or come to the next planning meeting.
“The next planning committee is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at the First Baptist Church in Elkins,” Small said. “Cancer survivors wishing to participate should contact me and I will forward their information to Cindee Campbell, the Relay for Life Survivor Chairperson.”
Small said she is hoping to reach out to those in Canaan Valley again.
“Previously, there was a group that did ‘Hope on the Slopes,’” Small said. “There has been no confirmation on that as of today. The group was unable to do that last year, but we are hopeful for this year.
“We want people to understand this event is for all of Tucker and Randolph counties,” Small said. “It is not just an Elkins event.”
Those wishing to contact Small should call 304-704-5166 or email bswishe4@gmail.com.
