REMEMBER

Luminaria – To honor and remember

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Benton County will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7, at the Benton Community High School Track, Van Horne.

The opening ceremony will include the invocation, flag raising and the National Anthem.

The survivor celebration will be at 7 p.m. with Jolene Topinka, Belle Plaine, sharing her survivor story. Survivors will take their celebration lap, followed by a lap for caretakers. Golf carts will be available for anyone not able to walk the track. Survivors should be registered by 6:30 p.m.

The track will be open for team members to walk after the opening ceremony until the survivors celebration and following the survivors and caretakers laps.

Other activities throughout the evening will be the balloon lady, frozen t-shirt contests, quizzes on cancer facts and music by Center Stage Productions.

For information about teams contact Loretta Vogt, Blairstown, survivors, Crystal Fisher, Atkins, and luminaria, Loretta Vogt, Blairstown, or www.RelayForLife.org/BentonCounty.

One important aspect of the relay is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who are fighting now or have won their battle.

At dusk, the night will be brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria circling the track. Each bag will bear the name of someone who has battled cancer. Some celebrate cancer survivors, while others honor and remember those gone too soon. All represent someone special who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fight back in their honor. Each name will be read during the ceremony.

RELAY DONORS

Silver – $750 – The Watkins Savings Bank, Benton Community Schools, Center Stage Productions.

Bronze – $500 – Atkins Lumber Co. Inc., Central Grain and Livestock, Belle Plaine Rotary, Vinton Lions, Vinton Livewire and Newspapers.

Signature – $250 – Vinton Kiwanis Club, Van Horne Cooperative Telephone, Clingman Pharmacy Inc. Eden Mutual Insurance Association, O’Grady Chemical Corp., Iowa Mold & Engineering Inc., Shelly’s Sweets, Dr. Mark Siebrecht, Virginia Gay Hospital, M&D Mini Storage, Johnson Insurance, Keystone Nursing Care Center, Friedman Farm Supply, Ollinger Garage Doors, BankIowa, Thys Automotive Family, Thrivent Financial.