Relay For Life Volunteers Plan What They Will Do For A 2005 Encore

By Kaaren Valenta

Last year Ivette Gerics and Dawn Escoda had a vision of raising $25,000 for the American Cancer Society by holding Newtown’s first Relay For Life.

The overnight event drew more than 3,000 people, raised more than $174,000, and garnered two national awards.

Building on that success, the two organizers, joined by two additional co-chairpersons, Guy and Lynda Russo, launched Newtown’s 2005 Relay For Life with a kickoff last week in the middle school cafeteria. Nearly 300 volunteers came to plan for this year’s event, which is set for June 11 at Newtown High School, eat a dinner provided free by Carminuccio’s and Pepsi, and take part in a variety of spirit-building activities including a luminaria ceremony, silent auction, and a pie-eating contest.

“I can’t stress enough how important this event is, for raising money for research and for increasing awareness of cancer,” said Jim Zarifis, whose family served as honorary chairmen for last year’s rally.

“We have to find a cure for cancer. We have to learn how to prevent cancer,” he said. “I want to thank all of you for stepping out of your ‘comfort zone’ and coming here to make a difference.”

This year’s honorary chairman, Jack DeFlumeri, a survivor of throat cancer, said that cancer can be beaten.

“The thing cancer fears the most is money,” he said. “The money we collect will pay for research and the development of cancer treatments.”

Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-changing experience, he said.

“It is an extremely lonely thing — you isolate yourself. To know that people care makes a tremendous difference.”

Terry Greenfield, who once again is chairing team recruitment for the relay, said that 40 teams already have signed up. Last year 63 teams, composed of about eight to 15 members each, walked the track during the overnight event.

One team, the Luna Ladies, raised nearly $14,000 by asking everyone they knew to contribute something — any amount — to the cause.

Upcoming fundraisers include a yoga class at Edmond Town Hall at 9:30 am on Tuesday, March 22; call Bobbie Poeltl at 270-9738 or Alice Baye at 270-7346 to reserve a spot.

The Wonder Walkers will host a tennis event on Saturday, March 19, beginning at 6 pm, with food, drinks, and tennis for $25 per person or $40 per couple.

My Place restaurant will donate a portion of the receipts from dinners on March 21 and 22 from 5 to 9 pm.

Other committee chairpersons this year include Tracey McManus, general entertainment chairman; Kathy Kingsley, youth activities chair; Mary Marcinnaccio and Eveline Jones, program chairpersons; Glorianne Garvin, team coordinator, cancer control, and Gina McDade, relay store chairperson; Bobbie Poeltl and Alice Baye, beverage chair; Joanne Berko, Blue and Gold chair; Gina McDade and Lisa Dolyak, Day of Volunteer; Joanne and Mallory Berko, luminaria sales; and Alice Mascher, luminaria ceremony.

The survivorship committee chairpersons will again include Bard Baldino, Joan Storms, Peg Redmond, and Shane Miller. Carl Samuelson of the town’s Park & Rec department will be in charge of grounds with Dominic Posca of the Board of Education in chare of facilities. Alice Mascher will be security and traffic chairman.

Guy Russo is corporate fundraising chairman; Jim Zarifis corporate presentation chairman.

Dorrie Carolan, youth supervisor chair, will be assisting with team recruitment. Helen Benson will again be registration and online chairman.

Aimee Zinser is the Newtown rally representative from the American Cancer Society.

The next general meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, April 4, at the middle school. For more information, or to volunteer to help, call Lynda and Guy Russo at 426-2995; Dawn Escoda, 270-7541; Ivette Gerics, 426-3589, or any of the committee chairpersons.