The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
2008 Relay of Henderson County
"A Little Mardi Gras Flavor"
The 2008 Relay For Life of Henderson County is now behind us. It was held on June 25 - 26, 2008 at the West Central North Campus. With over 400 people and 44 survivors in attendance the evening festivities began. DJ's for the evening were Stephen Lindo and Amy Hull.
The opening ceremonies began at 6:00 p.m. with emcee Sandy Lefler and the Relay For Life Chair and Co-Chair, Charlotte Shafer and Sandy Dunbar. Charlotte Shafer was recognized by Nancy Hull and the committee for being the chair of the event for the past five years. Charlotte is stepping back to the committee level while Sandy Dunbar becomes the new "2009 Henderson County Relay For Life Chair". Honorary survivor, Bob Meyer, of Rozetta spoke about his battle with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He thanked his wife and family along with his neighbors and fellow church members for all that they did for him. Troop and Pack 60 did the flag ceremony while Kristin Rankin and Jimmy Jacob led the National Anthem. Rev. Jim Bennett of the Rozetta Baptist Church gave the opening prayer.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Becky Gerst with an assortment of beautiful songs especially picked out to go with our "Mardi Gras" theme. Later in the evening Kayla, Kristin and Vince Whiteman performed four beautiful songs. The annual Miss Relay contest raised over $400 in the twenty minutes with the proceeds going to the Relay. Mr. Stephen Lindo was crowned the 2008 Miss Relay of Henderson County. All together seven brave men dressed as women and collected money for the event.
There were games for all ages provided by entertainment chair Melissa Woods and Nanci Sterett. Among the games played were the hokey pokey, YMCA, frozen t shirt contest, water balloons, face painting, Relay Jeopardy and many, many more that continued throughout the event. The Relay committee served pizza at midnight with all proceeds going to the Relay.
At 8:30 p.m. a new ceremony called the "Fight Back Ceremony" was introduced by Val Boucher of Roanoke. He is a fellow task force member and a friend of Chair Charlotte Shafer.
Val has also served on the Illinois Division Task Force, National Relay Advisory Team and National Leadership Training Team.
We were invited to make a Fight Back Pledge.
That is done by eating better, living a better lifestyle, getting a mammogram, PSA test or a colonoscopy.
It can be as simple as pledging to take a walk every day, taking someone to their annual appointment or contacting your representative to help in the fight against cancer.
It was a very powerful and exciting new ceremony. Val did an excellent job of bringing this ceremony to Henderson County.
The luminary ceremony began at 9:00 p.m. with the chair Nancy Hull.
546 luminary bags were set around the track to honor those still fighting cancer and to remember those already lost to this disease.
This is always a touching ceremony that gives us a moment to reflect on the year gone by and to honor those we love.
Closing ceremonies were presented at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning with awards to the top teams and the people who raised the most money as individuals.
Two teams Paul's Girls and Sadie's Crusaders kept a team member on the track throughout the entire event. Jaydee Landers and Brittney Nichols provided two beautiful songs.
Travis Shafer, a student at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary gave the Benediction and closing prayer while Girl Scout Troop 9026 retired the flag.
A closing lap by the 2008 Relay For Life of Henderson County Committee and balloon launch ended the 2008 Relay For Life.
The committee appreciates everyone who was involved in any way to make this year's event a successful year.
At this time we have raised over $28,000 with more being turned in as this goes to print.
It is not too late to turn money in for the Relay we have until August 25th to raise funds.
See any committee member and we will get your money turned in.