L’Observateur / December 6, 2000

LULING – The second annual Relay for Life event in St. Charles Parish was agreat success, raising over $57,700 for the American Cancer Society. Over550 people from local businesses, clubs, organizations, neighborhoods and families formed 34 teams to participate in the 12-hour non-competitive relay held recently at the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling.

Over 50 local cancer survivors walked their victory lap around the track.

Charlie Thaxton and Kathy Landry, St. Charles Parish residents and cancersurvivors, also gave brief testimonials during the opening ceremony and survivors’ celebration.

All participants took part in the luminary ceremony. All lights were turnedoff and the only lights on the track were from the illuminated bags which lined the entire track. The bags spelled out the word “hope.” The names ofthose honored or memorialized were listed on the bags around the track.

“The luminary program was the most moving and heart-touching way to remember the individuals from St. Charles Parish who were touched bycancer,” said Terri Harries, chairman of the St. Charles Relay for Life. “Beingable to signify the hopes that we are going to be able to find a cure through our fund-raising efforts by spelling hope in the bleachers with the luminary bags brought tears to my eyes and summed up why we worked so hard to make this event such a success.”Following the luminary ceremony was a fireworks display donated by Tommy and Faye Caire.

For three months, a Relay for Life steering committee was formed of local residents who helped in planning and implementing the events for the second annual Relay for Life event. Without the volunteers, who worked on thecommittee and provided continuous support and hard work, the event could not have been such a success. The steering committee was comprised ofTerri Harries, Albert Laque, Theresa Theriot, Andrea Sumrall, Susie Aubert, Larry Matson, Faye Caire, Virginia Albert, Maggie Castille, Clara Daigle and Sandra Hawkins.

Relay for Life is a relay race with a twist. It is a family-oriented team eventwhere participants can walk or run on a track, relay-style for 12 hours.

Participants camped out around the St. Charles Parish west bank BridgePark, and when they weren’t taking their turn around the track they took part in other fun activities such as volleyball, line-dancing, a barbecue cook- off and sack races.

Relay for life tries to raise awareness about the progress of the fight against cancer as well as raise funds for research. Many of the participantsare people who have been cured of cancer. Their involvement is proof of theprogress that has been made not only in cancer cure rates but in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

During the closing ceremonies, individuals received awards for activities that were offered throughout the night. Debbie Johnson won the award for raisingthe most money in the Relay for Life. Johnson managed to collect $4,385.70.The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office team won the most money raised by ateam by collecting $6,354.45. Zachary Construction’s team won the awardfor most money raised by multiple teams from one company. Zachary’sConstruction ended up raising $12,336.51.Other awards given out were: Beth Oubre for the chocolate bake-off; George Moore won the most laps contest; Donnie Troxler got the Pajama Mama Award; Mike Percle’s team won the best barbecue contest; Sandy Gilboy’s team from the sheriff’s office won the best costume contest with a Hawaiian theme; the best campsite was given to Sandy Johnson’s team; best team name went to Bill Elrod’s team, “The Real Survivors;” the Coveted Angel award was given to Terri Harries, Clara Daigle and Maggie Castille; the neatest team packet award went to Neva Aucoin; and the volleyball tournament champions were from Shawn Bernard’s team.

The cancer survivors celebration’s sponsor was Zachary Construction, the luminary ceremony sponsor was Elmwood Industrial Medicine Center and the main stage was sponsored by Shread, Kuyrkendall and Associates. T-shirtswere sponsored by Brenda’s Hair Salon, Entergy, Dr. Ken Pace, Domino’sPizza and McDonald’s. The Track Lane sponsor was Tri-Parish FinancialService and Wendy’s. The hour was sponsored by Audiological AssociatesInc., and the Educational Message was sponsored by Today’s Car Care Inc.The funds raised by the Relay for Life will enable the American Cancer Society to expand its services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more programs that will teach people to reduce their risk of getting cancer and finally to expand cancer research programs.

For more information on how to enter next year’s Relay for Life in St. Charles Parish, call Terri Harries at 785-6654.

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