Kevin Boozer
Staff Writer
WINNSBORO — Don’t let showers in the forecast keep you from gathering Friday at 7 p.m. at Fairfield Central High School for the Relay for Life.
Event chair Stacey Pearson said that if it rains the event will move indoors to the FCHS gym. Organizers said they kept the entertainment options simple this year so they could move things indoors if needed.
The event includes a deejay, performances by FMS and FCHS dance teams and line dancing in what Pearson said will be a fun family night that also raises money for the American Cancer Society.
Relay also is holding a food drive for Fairfield County Food Bank, so as people pack up chairs and maybe raincoats for the night, Pearson asks that they bring some canned goods, too. Inspirational testimonies from cancer survivors, dance selections and local performers will highlight the night. Vendors also will be on hand with food and concessions.
She said this year donations are less than a year ago when relay raised around $50,000. As of Bank Day (April 15, the event brought in $9,000 this year, but she is not letting that rain on her parade. Instead, that gives Pearson an opportunity to use the relay event not only to honor cancer survivors and celebrate the lives of people who died from the disease, but the relay can be a kick starter to fund raising events which continue through July. The goal this year is for $45,000 raised in Fairfield County.
“We are still doing paint the town purple,” Pearson said, “for the rest of April. Bows are $5 each. Luminaries will be for sale at the relay for $10, also.”
Bows can be purchased by calling Pearson at 633-6615 or at the Fairfield County School District Office at 635-4607.
In her first year as event chairperson she has dedicated herself to this event because for Pearson the cause is personal. She lost two aunts to cancer, has an uncle with cancer and a friend with cancer. She also has a friend in remission and a grandmother in remission from cancer.
“Cancer has touched my life from my immediate family to my circle of friends and it is great to be able to give back, especially during this the 100th year of the American Cancer Society,” she said. “The economy is down right now, so maybe that is one reason for less giving, but every dollar counts no matter the amount in the fight against cancer.”
She is grateful for the 18 teams and 104 participants representing Fairfield County and said she would even have information available if a last minute group wanted to form a team on tonight for the relay for life.
She especially pointed out local leaders who are on teams, such as Danny Miller from the Winnsboro Town Council.
“It is wonderful for local leaders to set an example and participate,” she said.
As of Thursday the top individual money raiser was Linda Singer with over $1,600 and the top team was Ring the Bell with over $1,700 raised.
The April 19 relay for life opening ceremony begins at 7 p.m. with the Survivor Walk at 7:15 p.m. At 10 p.m. the Luminary Ceremony begins where luminaries will be lit in honor and in memory of cancer patients.
Contact Kevin Boozer at 635-4016 ext. 14 or kboozer@civitasmedia.com and follow him on Twitter at @kevinboozer.
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