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This year's
honorary survivor is Sharon Walters of Minier. Sharon is a six-year
survivor of cancer and maintains a positive attitude about her
experience. She and her family have lost several friends and family
members to cancer within the last year, and this has given Sharon
the inspiration to persevere with her message of support and
encouragement for those who continue to struggle with this disease.
Throughout the event, the relay teams will sell items
at their own campsites. There will be many food items to choose
from, including a chuck wagon dinner, brisket sandwiches, hot wings,
snack bags, flavored coffee, sno-cones, barbecue sandwiches and
assorted beverages, just to name a few. There will also be raffle
tickets to purchase for a John Deere tricycle and cart, kids' bikes,
a painting by local artist Stuart J. Ruch, a quilt and a Bible
display. There will be many kids' games, a "Jail and Bail" and
various homemade crafts for sale as well.
A banner that will represent the Relay For Life of Minier at the
American Cancer Society's
Relay For Life Celebration on the Hill in Washington, D.C., on
Sept. 19 and 20 will be on display. Anyone attending or
participating in the Relay For Life of Minier can sign the banner.
Several entertainment acts will perform during the relay. From 1
to 2 p.m., Touch of Soul will perform their blend of a capella,
standards, rhythm and blues, soul, Motown, gospel, country, and
rock. They are a quartet of friends from different walks of life who
love to sing and share their talents with others. The State Farm
Employees Activities Association group J-108 will perform from 4:30
to 5:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. This group performs jazz vocal
numbers and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Finally, Thunder N'
Lightning DJ service will keep the relay participants moving from
10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. with all types of music.
From 1 to 7 p.m. there will be a silent auction, featuring
baskets and items gathered and donated by the relay teams. The
baskets have many different themes, including a picnic in a cooler,
Jimmy Buffett, bath and body, quilts, beauty supplies, hair
products, soup jars, coffee, and golf. Items from the following
companies will also be auctioned: Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Sears
Portrait Studio, Longaberger, Stampin' Up, Silpada Jewelry and John
Deere. At the same time, there will be a Chinese auction in which 25
cents will buy a chance to win an item. Many children's items will
be available at the Chinese auction. Both of the auctions will be
under the pavilion in the park.
Youth activities will begin at 3 p.m. with a youth lap. The first
50 kids to arrive by 2:45 p.m. will get a free T-shirt. After the
kids walk a lap, they can participate in face painting, "build your
own" sundae bar, games and a movie. These free, fun activities will
be provided by the Olympia High School Student Council and Key Club.
At 4:30 p.m., all school personnel, including teachers,
administrators, education support professionals and staff members
from any and all schools, will be honored with a special lap. Those
interested in participating should be at the park by 4:15 p.m.
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 At 5:30 p.m., cancer survivors will be honored with a survivor
celebration on the main stage. Doves will be released by Lenoux
Lofts of Creve Coeur. Owner Richard Lenaway will provide the doves,
which will create a breathtaking display to honor cancer survivors
and represent the hope they bring to those newly diagnosed with
cancer. Throughout history, white doves have been a sacred symbol of
hope. The doves will return to their home loft before nightfall.
Following the dove release, the survivors will be treated to a
dinner under the pavilion at 6:15 p.m. Cancer survivors who would
like to participate in the survivor celebration and survivor dinner
should call the American Cancer Society at the number listed at the
end of this article.
At 9:30 p.m., the luminaria ceremony will take place. This is a
meaningful ceremony in which cancer survivors and those lost to
cancer will be honored by having their names read aloud and a candle
lit. The candles will then light the path for the relay teams as
they continue walking throughout the night.
The relay will conclude at 5:30 a.m. on July 16 with a closing
ceremony. At this time, the tired relay participants will reflect on
the reality of cancer, including the feelings of those who must
return home without a loved one or who must face their own battles
with this disease.
This is the fifth anniversary of the Relay For Life of Minier.
Anyone with questions concerning the Relay For Life of Minier should
call Ashley at the American Cancer Society at 1 (800) 322-4577.
Directions to Minier Park
From the Peoria area:
Take Interstate 155 south to the Hopedale exit for Route 122
East. Proceed seven miles east to Minier. Turn right onto Maple
Street at the Casey's gas station. Continue four blocks south to
Peoria Street and turn left, with St. John's United Church of Christ
on the left. The school and park are one block ahead.
From the Bloomington area:
Take Market Street and Route 9 west out of Bloomington. Do not
turn when Route 9 heads north (to the right) toward Danvers;
continue straight west. The road is now Route 122. Follow the road
as it curves south and then west again before passing Stanford.
Minier is the next town. Turn left onto Maple Street at the Casey's
gas station. Continue four blocks south to Peoria Street and turn
left, with St. John's United Church of Christ on the left. The
school and park are one block ahead.
From the Lincoln area:
Take I-155 north to the Hopedale exit for Route 122 East. Proceed
seven miles east to Minier. Turn right onto Maple Street at the
Casey's gas station. Continue four blocks south to Peoria Street and
turn left, with St. John's United Church of Christ on the left. The
school and park are one block ahead.
[News release provided by Heather
Schwarting]
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