Hollister Relay For Life kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m.
The 2011 Hollister Relay For Life will kick off Saturday at 11
a.m. at San Benito High School’s Andy Hardin Field.
The annual event has more than 70 teams registered, all ready to
keep one person walking on the track from each team for the 24-hour
event. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society and
also celebrates the survivors in the community while remembering
those who have passed from the disease.
Hollister Relay For Life kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m.
The 2011 Hollister Relay For Life will kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. at San Benito High School’s Andy Hardin Field.
The annual event has more than 70 teams registered, all ready to keep one person walking on the track from each team for the 24-hour event. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society and also celebrates the survivors in the community while remembering those who have passed from the disease.
Michel Horn and Tracey Belton are this year’s event co-chairs, but they’ve had plenty of help from others on the planning committee such as those in charge of team recruitment, the kids zone, the silent auction and more.
“Definitely the ceremonies,” are the highlight of the event, Horn said. “Our survivor ceremony is combined with our opening ceremony and it’s really what Relay For Life is all about – celebrating our survivors.”
The opening ceremony begins Saturday at 11 a.m., with the survivors lap to take place at 11:45 a.m. A luminaria ceremony will begin at 9 p.m. The closing ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Sunday. While the teams will have fun activities planned to continue to raise money, there will also be entertainment throughout the day. Some of the groups performing include West Coast Martial Arts, Hula Ohana Polynesian Dancers, One Direction, West Coast Dance FX and more.
This year the teams were allowed to select their own themes, though the committee members encouraged them to highlight a “Fight Back” moment in their tents. The event will feature a “Fight Back” booth that will highlight advocacy, research and education.
“One thing I always say is every lap that is walked, every dollar you earn, means a little more of a chance to someday find a cure,” Horn said. “You give someone more of a chance at life. Every dollar counts.”
At least 24 committee members have been hard at work since the beginning of the year to plan the 24-hour activity.
“I would just love to thank the community and the committee for their wonderful job and support,” Horn said. “It’s been a pretty successful year. The community is always great with supporting Relay.”
Horn noted how most of those involved have been touched by cancer in some way, through a loved one, a friend or acquaintance.
“Cancer lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week…” she said. “That’s what we are out there fighting for.”
Donations can be made to teams online at www.relayforlife.org by clicking on the local resources and information link, clicking on California and searching for the local Hollister event. The direct link is http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11CA?pg=entry&fr_id=31154.
