Hope on Main Street Founder and Chairperson Gayle DiBenedetto is happy to announce that after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is returning to Newtown.

The event will begin rain or shine at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, on Saturday, September 10, at 5:30 pm and wrap up at 7 pm.

DiBenedetto said she was was inspired to create Hope on Main Street after being both a skin cancer survivor and having cared for loved ones with cancer.

“I am a two-time caregiver,” DiBenedetto said. “I’ve lost four family members to cancer: my parents, my sister, and my nephew. When you’re a caregiver it’s very frustrating, because there is not much you can do. The disease is very debilitating, and it does not discriminate, whether it is race, age, organs, you name it. It changes you forever.

“Even though my loved ones have passed on, I felt like I needed to do more, so I got involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life,” she added.

According to DiBenedetto, after the Relay For Life group in Newtown disbanded years ago, it tried to merge with Bethel, but there was not enough turnout to continue it.

“So I started Hope on Main Street with the hope that we would do something for the community. People still have cancer. It doesn’t stop. It feels good to give back even in the smallest ways,” she said.

DiBenedetto rallied a group together, which she calls Team Hope, that includes her sister and niece. The team does events throughout the year, including its Hope on Main Street.

The focus of the day is to show appreciation and support to fellow cancer survivors and caregivers, as well as to raise money and awareness for American Cancer Society.

“A lot of people don’t realize what American Cancer Society offers in terms of services,” DiBenedetto said. “They provide rides for cancer survivors to and from treatments if they have no one to take them, they have 24 hour/seven days a week phone support for survivors and caregivers, even wigs for people who have lost their hair, a counseling group — there is just so much that they offer.

“That’s why my team and I are passionate about what we do," she continued. "We want to get the message out there and raise money so the services are always available for people who need it.”

What To Expect

At the start of the Hope on Main Street event, DiBenedetto and guest speaker Cindy Sevell will speak about their personal experiences.

“She is an author and has her own podcast. Cindy is a survivor,” DiBenedetto said.

Cancer survivors will receive special recognition in the form of special tokens and gifts.

When asked what she is most looking forward to, DiBenedetto replied, “Seeing the survivors there enjoying themselves and taking a pause from the treatments ... I miss seeing their faces.”

There will also be a performance by dancers from Dance Etc before the group begins its walk down Main Street.

Bagpiper Terry Manning will lead walkers down the sidewalk while playing music.

DiBenedetto explained, “The bagpiper was a tradition at Relay For Life in Newtown, so I wanted to bring a traditional element to Hope on Main Street. There is something very beautiful, but also somber, about the music and it resonates with a lot of people.”

Participants will travel down to the old police station then back up to Edmond Town Hall and likely do two laps.

“We have police escort to provide safety for the people walking from 6 to 8 pm,” DiBenedetto noted. “Team Hope will stand by and when it is starting to get dark, we will light up all the luminaria bags that will be flanking both sides of the street from the old police department up to the town hall.”

How To Get Involved

For cancer survivors and caregivers who are interested in participating, registration can be sent to hopeonmainstreet@gmail.com. Organizers are asking to hear from those who would like to attend by Saturday, September 3.

Businesses in the community can also join the event by becoming a sponsor. Businesses, as well as volunteers can also e-mail hopeonmainstreet@gmail.com.

DiBenedetto emphasized that donations are always welcome, whether it is monetary, in the form of a gift certificate to be raffled, or bottled water for the team and participants.

“All the donations go to our Relay For Life Team Fund through the American Cancer Society,” she said. “Anything you see done at the event — our T-shirts or decorations — is done out of the pockets of Team Hope.”

For more information and to donate, visit hopeonmainstreet.com and follow the group on Facebook @HopeOnMainStreet. To learn more about American Cancer Society, go to cancer.org.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.