Relay for Life a Success
Northshore Relay a Resounding Success
by Karina Hunter
MC Natalie Labbee
MANITOUWADGE, ON – In spite of steady rainfall during opening ceremonies, the 2010 Northshore Relay for Life Friday, June 11th from 7pm until 7am Saturday morning was a great success raising in excess of $26 000* for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Teams with members from Manitouwadge, Nipigon, Thunder Bay and Hearst spent 12 hrs walking laps around a make-shift track outlined by more than 400 luminaries at the Manitouwadge Community Ball Field.
Opening ceremonies were slightly delayed as the rain made it necessary for the main stage and equipment to be moved to the Zamboni garage of the recreation centre (adjacent to the ball field) to shelter electrical equipment from the inclement weather.
Thankfully this did not dampen the spirits of volunteers, survivors & their caregivers or the relay teams; bagpiper Ken McIntyre and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 242 colour guard led 35 Cancer Survivors around the track for their 1st lap and then caregivers joined them (see video) for the 2nd before the general public was invited to join in officially beginning the relay. Dana Levanto, Fundraising Coordinator for the Thunder Bay Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society was on hand to read the names of survivors during the inaugural lap, while a yellow helium balloon was released for each as their name & years cancer-free were announced.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Natalie Labbee then welcomed attedees with a motivational discourse explaining the purpose of the relay, the advances which have been made in cancer treatment and research thanks to dollars raised by the Relay and other Canadian Cancer Society fundraisers. After allowing Levanto, herself a Relay Survivor, to also say a few words of welcome sharing her own inspirational story; Craig Robertson, Safety Manager for Manroc Developments Inc (Luminary Sponsor) congratulated the teams and committee for their fundraising efforts on behalf of Manroc; and Town Councilor Donna Jaunzarins, on behalf of Mayor and Council, spoke of the inspiration provided by survivors and relay teams for our community and welcomed out of town guests to Manitouwadge before Labbee returned to the microphone to lead the crowd in singing ‘Oh Canada’.
Young Janelle Rusard was the first of several performers to take the stage for the evening, her beautifully clear, crisp voice appreciated by all. Marathon’s Wolly & The Mammoths, Nathalie Labbee, Wasted Mammoths, Heron Bay’s Hwy 627 and Manitouwadge Line Dancers also offered entertainment throughout the evening.
The Pro-Stars Relay team of, Toby Mattson, Eric Esarte, Neil Esarte, Megan Boyd, Lindsay Bothelo, Brooke Newton, Bronson Keough, Steven Meagher, Cynthia Cright, Karly Baker and Jamie Turnbull were recognized for having raised the most funds with a total of $5 707.25. Quite amazing that the more than $26,000 grand total for the event was raised in large part thanks to just 6 relay teams, in addition to the Pro Stars were;
The Big Hearts, Full Belly Deli, We are the Ones (North of Superior Programs), The Firecrakers, and Superfly Chicks. The efforts of the Scotia Bank in Marathon must also be recognized; having raised $3, 538 at a barbecue weeks earlier, staff was thrilled when their head office matched these funds to double their donation.
Teams were relieved when, around midnight, the rain finally stopped; they kept busy throughout the night playing a variety of games which included a scavenger hunt, the gnome game, and others.
Carrie Zotter who had also participated with a team last year, created 13 song CDs for all the relay participants which included the evening’s theme song, each of the 6 teams’ theme songs and songs from the Fight Back Ceremony and Final Lap, a wonderful momento sure to bring back fond memories for years to come.
Set-up, security and take-down were organized by Sam Gionet (Manitouwadge) and Michael Rayasi, a young man from Marathon who had volunteered through the Relay for Life website. Omer Collins from the Township of Manitouwadge and Economic Development Department staff Karen Robinson and EDO Dave Raymond were also credited with their incredible efforts coordinating the set-up Friday.
Organizing Committee heads Suzanne Matheson and Kris Marcotte wanted to take one last opportunity to thank their “Awesome committee and all the volunteers as well as Corporate Sponsors Bearskin Airlines and Barrick Gold Ltd., Luminary Sponsor Manroc Developments Inc., and Media Sponsors the Chronicle Journal, OntarioNewsNorth.com and The Echo”. Matheson also wanted it noted that Dallaire’s Welding had provided a nice surprise, without any request from the committee they had, through the Canadian Cancer Society, become the website sponsor for 2010.
The 2010 Northshore Relay for Life wrapped up with a breakfast put on by Committee Members at the Golden Age Club. A wrap-up meeting will be held but is yet to be announced, all are encouraged to attend and give their feedback.
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- MC Natalie Labbee
* Not included in this total is the donation from Village Pizza & Submarines to be to organizers this week. The Village had committed to giving $2 off every pizza old June 11th to the Northshore Relay for Life, when funds raised did not reach their goal of $500, Village Pizza owners/operators contributed theed their own $ to bring the total to $500 (that’s alot of Pizza!).
