Heather Latter
Participants of the annual Fort Frances “Relay for Life” did not let Saturday’s storms get them down.
Sixteen teams persevered through the 12-hour event, heading indoors for a portion of it but still managing to raise more than $40,000.
“We’re very pleased,” enthused event co-chair Jennifer Anderson.
“Given the weather, the team sizes, the fact that we had very minimal foot traffic, and that there was so much going on in the community, we’re very happy with how we did.”
Anderson noted there’s usually a good turnout of visitors from the public, who stop by to check out the event and the different fundraisers put on by the teams.
But the weather put a damper on that this year.
“There were thunderstorms and tornado warnings out,” Anderson remarked.
“So the fact that we actually managed to go until midnight with the weather is fantastic.”
Prior to the survivors’ reception at 4 p.m., the event was moved inside the high school.
The teams set up their booths inside the atrium and down the hallway to the cafeteria as team members walked laps through the hallways.
The “Relay,” which was held from noon until midnight, is an inspirational, non-competitive, 12-hour fundraiser that brings people and their communities together to celebrate life and fight cancer.
The event used to be held overnight but was changed this year to be more of a daytime one, but still running for 12 hours.
“We had lots of good feedback on the new time,” Anderson noted. “People enjoyed it.
“It seemed to go by really fast this year because there wasn’t the midnight-4 a.m. stretch that always seemed to really drag for everybody.”
While the committee has yet to meet to discuss this year’s event, Anderson said it’s likely next year’s “Relay” will remain at the same time.
Despite the gray clouds, she added the teams all were upbeat, with plenty of activities and fundraisers planned for the carnival-themed event.
“The teams are fantastic,” Anderson stressed. “They really went all-out this year.
“There were lots of great decorations and thought that went into the theme. Great games and prizes.
“It was fabulous.”
Some of the activities and fundraisers included minnow races, a balloon pop, a large “Connect Four” game, an inflatable boxing ring, a photo booth, a bubble area, unicycles, pie sales, yards sales, popcorn, cold beverages, and candy booth—plus many more.
“The teams are phenomenal,” Anderson enthused. “We have teams that come back year after year and just keep giving 100 percent. . . .
“Without them, there wouldn’t be a ‘Relay.’”
In addition to all the activities and sales, Saturday’s event also included head-shaving, a survivors’ reception (featuring dinner in the FFHS cafeteria), and a survivors’ celebration, which saw three people light luminaries for their loved ones.
There also was the survivors’ lap—led by members of the local 908 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and the Rainy Lake Highlanders.
Anderson noted when it was time for the luminary ceremony around 10 p.m., the storm had died down enough for the luminaries lining the track to all be lit.
“And the teams were given the option if they wanted to go walk around the track and a lot of them did, and it was really nice,” she noted.
“Ideally, we like to ‘Relay’ outside but we can’t change the weather and we can’t chance someone getting hurt,” she stressed, referring to the storms earlier in the day.
Anderson attributed the weather as being the main reason the event didn’t reach its fundraising goal of $60,000.
Last year, 16 teams raised $53,000. In 2013, 18 teams brought in a total of $83,000.
“The weather killed our foot traffic,” she reiterated, noting the public didn’t come out because of the weather.
She added the Fort Frances Youth Soccer windup, which was happening on the fields adjacent to the “Relay,” got cancelled around 12:30 p.m. and everyone headed home.
“I think the weather really hurt us but considering that challenge, I think we did okay,” Anderson remarked.
And despite not reaching their fundraising goal, Anderson said the Riverside Foundation for Health Care will receive some funds through its partnership, which will last for one more year.
“And we will be back next year,” she vowed, saying the committee will get started soon planning next year’s “Relay.”
“We’ll be co-ordinating with the community to make sure there’s not so much stuff going on,” Anderson noted.
“We’re looking forward to another great event next year.”
