Survivors inspire volunteers
By the time the Relay for Life of Hollister committee members
started the 2008 opening ceremonies Aug. 1 at Andy Hardin Stadium,
some members had already been walking for more than five hours. At
the Relay, each of 45 participating teams had to have one member
walking the track at all times during a 24-hour period. The event
kicked off at noon, but walkers took a break at 5:30 p.m. to
participate in the ceremony.
Survivors inspire volunteers
By the time the Relay for Life of Hollister committee members started the 2008 opening ceremonies Aug. 1 at Andy Hardin Stadium, some members had already been walking for more than five hours. At the Relay, each of 45 participating teams had to have one member walking the track at all times during a 24-hour period. The event kicked off at noon, but walkers took a break at 5:30 p.m. to participate in the ceremony.
A torch burned next to the stage, part of the Olympic theme this year, and many team members designed T-shirts representing different countries.
During the opening ceremonies Carol Tortorelli, a co-chair of the event, and a six-year cancer survivor, took the opportunity to thank all the committee members who made the event possible. Participating teams gathered on the track and in the bleachers to listen to the speeches.
Each year during the open ceremonies the Cathy Ritter Award is given to a faithful volunteer in memory of Ritter, who died of cancer. Ritter’s family gathered on the stage during the award acceptance. Geri Johnson, a city staff member and a six-year cancer survivor, received the honor this year. The award “is for a cancer survivor that has shown dedication and passion to our community and the American Cancer Society.”
“They are an inspiration to others and leadership in our community,” Tortorelli said. “That pretty much sums up Geri. She is an inspiration to everybody and involved in everything.”
Johnson teared up as she stepped on stage to receive the award.
“Thank you,” was all she could get out before her voice broke.
Johnson, the sponsorship chair for the Relay for Life committee, accidentally found out she was to be honored the day before the event, Tortorelli said.
Tortorelli had sent out an e-mail about it, and accidentally included Johnson on the cc in the week before the event. Johnson decided to empty out her inbox July 31, and found the e-mail.
After the thanks and speeches were done, committee members invited the survivors – most decked out in purple shirts – to take a lap around the track.
Hundreds of people of all ages followed behind Johnson during the survivor lap, including a few Top Hatters who wore their leather vests over their purple T-shirts.
Following the Olympic theme, teams chose a different country to represent their tent or booth. One team chose Japan and had paper lanterns strung along the edge of their booth. To continue the fundraising, they offered a chance to sumo wrestle for $5. Another booth recalled the jungles of Costa Rica.
Late into the night, the members offered up a food item from their country of choice for a late-night bake sale.
More than $17,000 was raised through online donations, but many volunteers collected donations in person and the fundraising continued until noon Aug. 2. The initial numbers came to more than $164,000.
The final total will not be available until Aug. 31 as teams can continue fundraising until the end of Relay’s fiscal year.
“Each year is better and team participation is extraordinary,” Tortorelli said, of the event. “It is one of the most moving things anyone can be involved in.”
