Relay event taking shape Posted by the Times-Beacon Newspapers on 07/6/06 BY BOB VOSSELLER STAFF WRITER LACEY — Lacey Relay for Life Coordinator Cathy Roth received a $500 check from Township Clerk Veronica Laureigh on behalf of the Lacey Rotary Club during the recent Township Committee meeting. After thanking the Rotary Club for its donation, Roth updated officials and residents concerning plans for the township's first Relay For Life event in connection with the American Cancer Society. The Relay For Life is scheduled to take place July 15 and July 16 at the Richard L. Gille Memorial Park. The event will start at noon July 15 and will conclude at 8 a.m. July 16. The two-day event is a community gathering where people can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a high school, park or fairground within their community. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event because cancer never sleeps. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length. Relays for the American Cancer Society will take place across the country throughout the summer. People will "walk the track during the weekend," she said. "In the evening, the event coordinators will have luminary bags that, for $5 a donation, can be dedicated to a cancer survivor or in memory of a cancer victim who has passed on," Roth said. "We've had people who have decorated their bags and have written the names of those they are dedicated to," Roth said. She added that anyone who would like to dedicate a luminary bag should call (609) 693-2560. Roth also spoke about the "Banner of Life" that will serve as a petition of sorts and will be sent to Washington, D.C., in August. "The idea of the banner is to get Congress to make cancer research a priority and to find a cure by 2015. The Lacey Elks and Rotary clubs have already signed the book that will go with the banner," Roth said. Members of the Lacey Relay for Life Committee have already inspected the area of Gille Park where the event will take place. "Everyone has a 10- by 20-foot spot. We have 31 groups registered. That still gives us plenty of room," Roth said. "The event is coming to a head now. It will be a day of perfection and everyone's input is really going to show," Roth added. A special survivor's luncheon will be held at 2 p.m. July 15. "Some people include personalized bags, put poems on them or provide photos of the person on them," Roth said. Roth said that the organizing committee is getting closer to its goal of 40 relay teams. "We're working on getting more right now. We want to show everyone that Lacey can make a good first event," she said. "We're trying to urge people to register online. The more the merrier. We have bands that have volunteered to entertain us all night and we'll have games and other fun things going on," Roth said. The Web site for the event is www.acsevents.org/relay/nj/lacey. "We still need volunteers who want to come and help us out. They can call (800) ALS-2345. We want survivors (of cancer) to come out on July 15 at 12:30 to the pavilion," she said. Roth said that Kate & Ally a catering business in the township will be catering the event. "Donations can be made to the relay site. This is open to the public not just members of the team. We're not done yet. We have a few weeks left." .