Sarah Pruys
In answer to one child’s question Friday night: No, the “Relay for Life” luminaries do not fly.
But they sure did light up the night as the community came together to raise an astonishing $81,213 at last count.
A total of 868 luminaries lined the track at Fort Frances High School, remembering those who have died from cancer and honouring those who have fought it and won.
“That’s an amazing amount of luminaries,” said Christine Denby, who chaired the luminary committee.
“It’s been steady all day [selling luminaries],” she added. “What’s really cool is the amount of effort the teams themselves put into selling luminaries.
“They were selling them themselves, and that was really neat, and we had outlets all over town, and in Emo and Devlin, so it was a true community effort.
“And then the number that were sold on-site was overwhelming,” noted Denby.
The luminary tent was busy all day, with people constantly dropping off decorated bags or buying more.
Volunteers hardly could keep up with them all, and by 10 p.m. the track was lined with luminaries.
“Thank you to all of the volunteers . . . it was a great effort,” lauded Denby.
“The experience of seeing all of the names around the track is very emotional,” she added. “I can’t speak to how amazing it is.”
Dubbed “A Walk to Remember” to go along with the movie-themed event, the luminary ceremony at dusk is one of the most touching parts of the “Relay for Life.”
Sandra Allen sang “I Will Remember You” as people made their way slowly around the track, lighting the candles and reading the luminaries.
Other highlights of this year’s event included the “Survivors’ Dinner” sponsored by Boston Pizza, which saw a record 43 survivors and their caregivers attend.
That was followed by the opening ceremonies and “Survivors’ Lap.”
Participants then passed the night with events such as “Relay Idol,” head shaving, frozen T-shirt contests, and breakfast in the morning.
“Relay” emcee John Homer said the event was “excellent.”
“We’ve got a large number of spectators, we’ve got lots of team participation, campsites are decorated awesome, and there was great talent at ‘Relay Idol,’” he noted.
AJ Revus won the fan support award while Grade 11 student Larissa Desrosiers placed first with her original song, followed by Jon Glueheisen and Alyx Barnard in second and third, respectively.
“I think it’s absolutely fabulous,” said Jenn Anderson, who chaired the “Relay” committee this year.
She estimated about 600 people came out throughout the night.
“My favourite part of ‘Relay’ is actually just seeing what all of the teams have been doing,” Anderson remarked.
“There’s been so many activities and fundraisers going on, and it was neat to see all of the teams each doing something new, and to see how enthused and excited everyone is.
“There’s a huge influx of young people, and it was nice to see the community out and involved,” she added.
Many of the teams were selling things at their campsites in an effort to continue to raise more money throughout the evening—from cupcakes to popcorn to snow cones.
The team offering opportunities to pie two young girls in the face, or kiss a little boy, added to the carnival-type atmosphere.
Then on Saturday morning, the local Legion ladies’ auxiliary served up pancakes and sausages for breakfast in the Fort High cafeteria.
“We sold more luminaries than we did last year, and that’s a great thing,” Homer said during the closing ceremonies.
“We had more team fundraisers, a great venue, and great people,” he added.
“It was a diverse bunch of people, all the way from babies right up to seniors.”
Homer then announced the awards with Anderson, beginning with the most spirited team, which went to “The Vandalizers.”
Team captain and Grade 11 student Dexter Fichuk ran across the field to claim the prize—one of the few people still full of energy even after staying up all night.
“Thank you, it was so much fun. Everyone had so much fun they’re gone now!” Fichuk laughed.
“I’ll be sure to send a Facebook message to all of them [his team] that we got this.”
The best campsite was awarded to Kenny Rogers and “Team Gambler” while the top rookie team this year went to the “Cancerbusters.”
Ken Avis was the top individual fundraiser after raising $2,000 on the day of the “Relay” to shave his head.
He had reached $1,860, but when the crowd donated the additional $140, he agreed to have his beard and mustache shaved, as well, for the first time in more than 30 years.
“Snow White and the Survivors” raised the most out of all of the teams, bringing in about $8,000.
“We want to thank everyone who was on our team,” said team captain Jon Glueheisen.
“You guys really whupped butt this year and I can’t wait for next year.”
“One thing we did this year was a ‘Tree of Hope,’ and we asked all of the cancer survivors for a photo or to sign a star to hang on the tree,” Anderson noted during the closing ceremonies.
The “Snow White” team drew Kyleigh Ossachuk’s name, so she took the tree home.
“Another new thing we did this year was the ‘Dream Team,’” added Anderson.
The “Dream Team” criteria didn’t just mean the top fundraising team.
“It was a criteria of $4,450 in pledges and donations,” she explained. “It was having a cancer survivor on your team, it was selling 20 plus luminaries, it was utilizing your online tools.
“And we took a look at this last night, seeing what everybody was doing.
“This team has a cancer survivor, this team sold 48 luminaries, this team sent out 131 e-mails from the cancer society asking for pledges and support.
“And that team is ‘Snow White.’”
“This trophy [for the ‘Dream Team’] was donated by the Glueheisen family in memory of Jo-Anna [Granholm], so I think it means extra to them to be able to put their name on it the first year,” Anderson concluded.
“Because Gillons’ does so much for ‘Relay for Life,’ we have decided that Gillons’ should be the one to have this at their office,” Jon Glueheisen said on behalf of the team.
“We blew away last year’s number,” he noted. “It touches me that you guys can raise those kinds of numbers, year after year.
“So we hope we see you all back next year!”
A recent partnership between the Riverside Foundation for Health Care and the “Relay for Life” states that after $44,500 is raised (the average amount raised in ‘Relays’), any additional money can be put towards a cancer preventative program or treatment program that Riverside has if the Foundation chooses to accept it.
With the $44,500 goal having been reached by “Bank Night” on Wednesday, all the money that came in Friday was additional money that will stay in the community.
So as of right now, $36,713 will be going to Riverside, along with any additional money that trickles in from fundraising efforts over the next month.
