Brandon Twp.- Looking for a good time while helping a great cause?
Teams are forming now for the Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville.
‘It’s a great cause, will be a lot of fun and will show what a great community we are,? said Colleen Cordner, chairperson. ‘This event unites people.?
So far, 22 teams have signed up for the 24-hour walk to benefit the American Cancer Society. The relay will be 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on June 21-22 at the Brandon Schools Athletic Complex, 209 Varsity Drive.
As a 24-hour walk, Relay for Life consists of teams, with each team committing to have someone on the track from the team at all times during the 24-hour walk. Walkers can have someone sponsor them or the whole team, or the event. Each team has a tent and someone spends the night. There are themes for each hour, such as walking backwards or wearing pajamas. The relay also features entertainment and an emotionally moving luminary ceremony.
Planned participants include teams from Frosty Boy, Wojo’s Greenhouse, The Citizen, Groveland Fire Department, Brandon Hawks travel soccer team, township employees, Brandon High School staff, athletes, Boy Scout Troop 139 and Cub Scout Pack 531. Families and friends are also forming their own teams.
Cordner hopes to have at least 30 teams, the more the merrier, with 10-15 individuals per team.
Shawn Lovelace, coach of the Brandon Hawks travel soccer team, will be there with Hawks members, utilizing the outside track, which is designated for those who choose to run.
?(This event) will show them sacrifice and it is character building,? he said. ‘Cancer patients and their families go through a lot and the least we can do is sacrifice a little for us to bring attention to the American Cancer Society cause. It provokes more thought when you sacrifice.?
Plans for the event include musical entertainment, a dunk tank, clown, bounce house, evening euchre tournament, morning yoga, and food from a variety of vendors.
Team registration is $150. The team fee is waived if another team is referred. Luminaries are being sold for $10 each and will be lit in the evening of the 24-hour walk to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer or are currently battling the disease or are survivors. Luminaries will also be sold during CreekFest June 7 in Ortonville.
Teams are also selling items at the relay to raise money for cancer research and awareness.