This past weekend at Parkersburg City Park, the Wood County Relay For Life held the annual Relay.
Those on teams, committees work year-round to raise funds for our county in further research and a cure for cancer. With approximately 111 teams,1,591 participants involved, $218,921 has been turned in. We have not made goal yet, so donations may still be turned in through July. The highlight of the evening were the three grand marshals presented to thousands attending the open ceremonies. The survivors then led the parade around City Park pond in cars driven by volunteers. The campsites, bystanders, cheered them on.
Most people volunteering for the American Cancer Society committee hold full-time jobs, as do most teams, they give tirelessly of their time and energy to pull this off each year. This has been a challenging year for Wood County, faced with several problems. All the committee members and teams pulled together holding fundraiser after fundraiser. All monies earned at these had been planned by the fundraising chairs so that each team received their share of the monies raised.
A change in the dinner for survivors and caregivers was made this year, catered by Texas Roadhouse. Volunteers served over 400 attending the dinner. Volunteers from both PSHS and PHS placed several thousand luminaries purchased in memory of, or honor of, these were lighted at 9:30 p.m. with a brief ceremony. This year saw not only the middle and older age group participating in the quietness of the beauty of the lighting, but many young teens. The respect in quietness and respect was better than past years.
At noon on Saturday the Relay came to end with a short closing and many tired walkers who had stayed on the track all night headed home, after cleaning up and tearing down. The City Park workers are to be commended for their work and even helping in situations at campsites. Parkersburg should truly be proud of this very meaningful weekend and the honor shown survivors and those we've lost. Love, laugh, live, giving more birthdays each year from research and treatment.
We are only a small part, we are always looking and needing volunteers. If you were one of themhold your head high, the entire Relay committee is truly proud of each and every one of you. Parkersburg you have some great people, stand up and be counted.
Karen Rippeto
Parkersburg
