Community Invited To Relay Kickoff January 31

By John Voket

Newtown’s historic and record-setting Relay For Life activities begin officially Wednesday, January 31 with a free kickoff party and reception at Newtown High School. The 7:30 pm gathering will provide residents an opportunity to get in on the earliest planning stages for what is expected to be the community’s largest and most important in the event’s three-year history.

Organizers say the kickoff party is a fun and often touching social activity that reunites team participants and volunteers from years past, with newcomers eager to get involved in the communitywide fund and awareness-building, 12-hour event scheduled for June 9–10.

Currently, the local website for the 2007 relay is up and running. Visitors interested in following the progress of various fundraising initiatives and team participation may do so at acsevents.org/relay/ctnewtown.

According to relay spokesperson Dawn Escoda, attendees to the kickoff can be among the first to learn about registration changes this year, hear about the new Kids Care Club, which involves a minirelay for K–fourth graders, and get the latest on site details for the important CPS3 study. Newtown is one of just two Connecticut locations for assembling participants for this important research study on how lifestyles affect one’s chances of contracting cancer.

 “We will have several guest speakers, including this year’s honorary chair, fourth grader Abbi Winters,” Ms Escoda said.

Last year’s relay was among the top 15 in New England for participation and funds raised, and this year organizers are hoping to increase participation for the event, as well as the many collateral activities being held throughout the community before the weekend of June 9.

The theme for this year’s relay is “Wheel of Hope,” and Newtown’s collective fundraising goal is to raise $375,000, Ms Escoda said.

Organizers have planned a “mini university” training and refresher meeting for organizers January 27, preceding the communitywide kickoff rally. For information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life, call 426-3782 or email relayforlifeofnewtown@yahoo.com.

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.