Relay Still Seeking Survivors, Planning

‘All American Picnic’ Festivities

While Newtown’s 2009 Relay For Life is still a week away, festivities leading up to the annual community awareness and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society commence this Sunday, June 7, with a very special event celebrating survivors and caregivers.

Relay Survivorship volunteers still have room for more Newtown cancer survivors and caregivers, and invite anyone who has ever been touched by cancer, or provided care past or present, to the evening of dinner, music, and fellowship at St Rose Gathering Hall on Church Hill Road beginning at 6 pm.

The “Hope Reception” — new to Relay this year — is happening on National Survivor Day. And 2009 Relay For Life Survivor Committee leader Michelle Babyak is hoping for the best turnout ever for a survivor’s and caregiver’s event.

“The American Cancer Society has chosen to adopt the broadest definition possible for a cancer survivor, that being all those who choose to define themselves as survivors, from the time of their diagnosis and through the balance of life,” she said.

Keeping with this year’s Relay theme of a “Great American Picnic,” reception hosts hope to keep the evening casual.

“It will be a fun-filled night of dinner and dancing with food, dessert, and refreshments from many local restaurants, live music and it’s all honoring you,” said Survivor Chair Lynda Russo. “Then don’t forget to join us the day of Relay on Saturday, June 13, for the opening ceremony and First Lap at Fairfield Hills Campus.”

The night of Relay, ceremonies honoring survivors’ and caregivers’ opening lap is scheduled at 5:30, but the Survivor/Caregiver Lounge Tent will be open from 3 to 9 pm for light refreshments and activities, so survivors can drop in any time, even for just a few minutes.

Anyone interested in attending the Hope Reception should email relayforlifeofnewtown@gmail.com by noon, Saturday, June 6, with the names of those attending, or just show up at St Rose Hall June 7 between 6 and 8 pm. Caregivers and survivors are welcome.

Night Of Relay

Newtown’s 2009 Relay Chair Necole Salvesen is extending a personal invitation to the entire community to come and celebrate this year’s event at its new Fairfield Hills location anytime after 3 pm June 13, when the annual “Kids for a Cure” minirelay for local students and children gets underway on the main field. Any local student accompanied by an adult parent or caregiver is welcome to attend the “Kids for a Cure” activities; there is a $10 walk-up donation requested.

The registration tent, cancer awareness activities, and luminaria sales will open at that time, there will be vendors serving up “All American Picnic” food, and the Relay will officially commence following opening ceremonies between 5:30 and 6.

Entertainment Chair John Voket and DJ Rod Blessy are promising an evening full of family-style fun, games, and entertainment in the “All American Picnic” tradition, with many Relay teams either sponsoring hourly activities or themed laps around the track to help raise awareness and additional funds for cancer research and support.

The Newtown Savings Bank, for example, is hosting a dunk tank, and is looking for “local celebrities,” business leaders, politicians, and community leaders to sit for a few minutes to benefit the cause. Gentlemen contestants for the “Miss Relay” competition are being sought, as well.

Mr Voket is shouting out all local current and past military service members, emergency workers, police officers, and firefighters to volunteer a half-hour for the Relay’s popular “Walk With A Hero” auction.

Relay organizers are also close to confirming a special celebrity musical guest, who is tentatively scheduled to appear to add to the celebration. There will be a dance tribute, including performers from Dance, Etc, and according to district sources, the members of the Newtown High School Jazz Ensemble will be on hand for a cool set of tunes.

Everyone Is Invited

“If you can’t be on a team, just show up — we want to pack the track,” Ms Salvesen said. “Check out the website and the event schedule; it’s filling fast and there are so many activities going on throughout the afternoon and evening. I hope everyone will come out for a few minutes or a few hours to show support and show how we celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer here in Newtown.”

Other activities include a “Twister Challenge,” DJ Rod’s “Buck On — Five Off!!! Music Request Auction,” a scavenger hunt, frozen T-shirt pull, and a “Wake-up Yoga Call.” Theme laps include a “Bubble Lap,” Conga/Limbo Lap,” “Baseball Cap Lap,” and a “Patriotic Lap,” where all teams are encouraged to “show their true colors,” Mr Voket said.

There will be several picnic-style games like pick-up volleyball and a Frisbee toss-off.

Attendees will meet this year’s honorary Relay Chair and Co-chair Ken and Jen Ayles, and volunteers will have several hours to donate their hair to the Beautiful Lengths collection team.

The Luminaria Ceremony begins at 9 pm, and for the first time, attendees are asked to bring a photo to add to Newtown’s “Wall of Remembrance.” Luminarias can be purchased online at the local Relay web page, or on the day of Relay at Fairfield Hills.

Any teams doing last-minute fundraisers should keep in mind they can still earn one of the “Top 5” positions at the head of the track, closest to concessions, bathrooms, and the exit for easy packing. And the top earning team will also earn an expanded site with a private port-o-potty, electricity, tent, picnic table, and other “Relay luxuries,” according to Relay co-organizer Helen Benson

The Newtown Relay online auction is still live, so anyone in town or anywhere can support the cause via the Internet, and take advantage of the wide variety of items available.

For all the details click on the Newtown Relay website www.relayforlife.org/newtownct.