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Osage County Relay For Life fights back
Rosie Blacketer
Staff Writer
LYNDON—The 10th annual Relay For Life of Osage County was
held at Lyndon High School track, Sept. 27-28, and once again has
been designated a success. The event raised $50,146.86 for the American
Cancer Society.
The three top fund raising teams were Rick’s Faithful Followers,
RJ’s Auction, with $5,606; Vassar Zion Lutheran Church, $5,371;
and All in the Family, $3,523. The three top fundraisers were Rick
Garvin, $3,075; Kathy Issacs, $1,255; and Lisa Anschutz, $1,015.
Approximately 500 attended the walk.
The relay started at 5 p.m. Saturday with the opening of the silent
auction. Lori and Chelsea Thompson, a mother and daughter singing
team from Osage City, opened the event. At 6 p.m., Boy Scout Troop
No. 106, Osage City, raised the flag, with Jim Gardner singing the
Star Spangled Banner.
The survivors of cancer, with purple and white balloons in hand,
took to the track to open the event with the survivors’ lap,
followed by teams being announced as they walked a lap as a group.
During the night, events were held to help keep the walkers awake.
Ms. Jandi’s School of Dance, from Burlingame, entertained
the crowd.
All the participating teams decorated their camp and tent area for
judging. The winners were Noonan Fighters, Burlingame, Joker’s
Wild, Osage City, and All in the Family.
At 8 p.m., the luminary ceremony began with an invocation by Father
Richard Storey, of Osage City and Scranton Catholic churches.
After team captains lit the luminaries, Andrew Kurtz gave the opening
remarks followed by a reading of names by Jon and Wanda Wilhite
to the song “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The Tiki Torch
lap, in memory of those lost to cancer this past year in Osage County,
ended this part of the evening’s events.
At 11 p.m., the fight back ceremony was held symbolizing the emotional
commitment to fight against cancer.
Throughout the night, A&J DJ Service, Osage City, helped walkers
stay awake with a variety of music.
Buzzards Pizza, Lyndon, and Pizza Hut, Osage City, presented “Pizza
Madness” at midnight, for all the walkers.
To help keep the walkers motivated, there were games including a
balloon relay, cookie walk, limbo, line dancing, musical chairs,
poker lap, relay bingo, scavenger hunt and a water relay.
At 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Ann Becker and Barbara Prost, the event’s
co-chairs, led the closing ceremony, followed by breakfast donated
by Janet French and Casey’s stores.
“This event could not and would not have happened without
the generous support of the many sponsors we had,” Prost said.
“To my knowledge this is the largest fundraiser in Osage County
where the entire county comes together in unity to raise funds for
the fight against cancer.”
During the closing ceremony, Prost said, “Without you, cancer
wins, with you, we save lives.”
Relay for Life is held with the hope that those lost to cancer will
never be forgotten, that those who are battling cancer will be supported,
and that someday cancer will be eliminated. |
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