(Jerseyville, IL � May 26, 2009) � The 2009 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Jersey County takes place overnight Friday, June 5. The Survivor Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 7 p.m., where 16 teams of cancer fighting enthusiasts from throughout Jersey County will spend the night celebrating, remembering, and fighting back.
Teams will gather at Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville and camp out overnight. Event Chair Melissa Mustain and the entire 2009 Steering Committee invites the public to come out to the Relay and enjoy the food and activities available throughout the night while helping support the battle to eradicate cancer from our community and our world.
As a non-alcoholic and smoke-free event, people of all ages can come out and enjoy the evening. A wide variety of food and beverages will be available, as well many opportunities for fun and games, all with the goal of making for an enjoyable and memorable community event with all the proceeds benefitting the Relay For Life of Jersey County. Food and beverages available for purchase at Relay includes items such as brats, kabobs, hot dogs, pudding sundaes, tacos in a bag, soda, and bottled water. There will be a wide variety of activities as well, including a cakewalk and an entertaining midnight bingo activity.
Many of the Relay teams are holding raffles now through the night of Relay, with all proceeds to benefit the Relay For Life of Jersey County. Drawings will be held the night of Relay. Some of the items up for grabs include a handmade quilt and rug, crocheted cover, prayer shawl, a variety of baskets, a bird house, shelving, Wal-Mart gift cards, and a one-year membership to the JCH Wellness Center. Other items being raffled include a $10 Rudolph�s gift certificate; $25 Fran and Marilyn�s Gift Certificate; $15 Red Rooster Gift Certificate; $20 Mulligan�s Gift Certificate; bottle of Vox Vodka and shot glasses; six Wellness Center Guest Passes; two $5 Gift Certificates to The Lean Bean; Great Clips Gift Certificate for Hair Cut and Blow Dry; Matrix Biolage and Tree Tea Body Wash from Great Clips; $20 Molloy�s Gift Certificate and T-Shirt; Imo�s Gift Certificate for Cheap Date Special; Hand quilted Blanket; Free 10 Kid Birthday Party at Tri-County Bowl; $35 Flower Arrangement from Lammer�s; and Tools from AutoZone.
On the night of Relay, the Jerseyville American Legion will present the colors at the Opening Ceremony. Mary Cain, choral director at Illini Middle School, will sing the National Anthem as a part of the Opening Ceremony as well. Additionally, Steven Davis, who may be better known as an Elvis impersonator but is also an ordained minister, will provide the Invocation and sing the Opening Ceremony�s song. Cancer survivor Sarah Collins will share her story as other survivors are also recognized. Kim Murray of Cornerstone Bank will speak on behalf of this year�s corporate sponsors.
Each lap of the Relay has a theme, with the focus being on this year�s Relay theme: The Power of Love � Relay Rewound. Celebrating 25 years of hope, this year�s theme is all about the 1980s. There is a special emphasis on 1985, the year of the first Relay For Life.
Also as a part of the Relay night, a display of Luminarias will be lit in remembrance of those who have passed due to cancer. New this year, Luminarias can be lit to honor caregivers or to help celebrate 25 years of Relay. The names of those who have passed will be read as a part of the ceremony. For more information about the ceremony or to purchase a Luminaria, contact Tom or Julie Smith at 618-639-5115. You may purchase Luminarias in advance or at the event.
Wrapping up the Relay at about sunrise, Danna Cory will perform the Closing Ceremony song and Michael Davenport will deliver the Closing Prayer.
For more information about the 2008 ACS Relay For Life of Jersey County, call Event Chair Melissa Mustain at 618-498-3209 or Amy Slauson of the American Cancer Society at 800-642-8084. You can also visit the Event website at www.relayforlifejersey.com.
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