The American Cancer Society’s “2009 Relay For Life – Northwest Harris County, TX“, held at the Klein Oak High School was probably the most humbling, inspiring and inspirational events I have ever attended. Event info I previously posted is here.
It was such an honor to be invited to participate by Best Buy, Store 1072, as their “Honorary Survivors”. Our team was “Firehouse1072″ – named because this particular Best Buy store had 2 fires during it’s construction. It was fondly named the “Firehouse” store by it’s employees.
The “Offical” start time was 7pm, but participants were asked to arrive earlier. Mom and I arrived at the location a few minutes after 6:00pm. It was Much larger than I had anticipated – the Entire football field was set up with the tents of 66 different different teams! Right away, you could see the common theme of “Luau”, as every team had some type of Hawaiian, Tikki or Luau decor. It was Really Colorful and Very Fun Looking!
There were special activities for the Survivors and Caregivers – Mom is both a Survivor AND a Caregiver… We were able to get a massage, a special dinner and gift bags with goodies.
But the Most Special Thing was walking the “Survivor & Caregiver Lap”. It was one of the most memorable experiences I have had. I have never felt such love and support, as we all walked around the track and everyone else lined the track, clapping and cheering us on. I think I cried the entire lap, I just kept saying “Thank You, Thank You So Much”… and That is Exactly how I felt.
Thank You So Much.
There was also the “Lights Out & Silent Lap” where they dimmed the lights. The Klein Oaks “Diamond Girls” (girls who help support Klein Oak Programs by assisting with home game activities) positioned themselves on the bleachers and then slowly turned on flashlights they were each holding… and the audience could see that they had spelled out the word “HOPE” in lights… then after a few minutes, they dimmed their flashlights, and you could heard them moving… and when they lit their lights again, they spelled out the word “CURE”. I Let Out A Big Hoot!! YES – We HOPE For A CURE!!
There was then the reading of names, a very somber period, but hopefully very healing for some.
Then back to the “business” of fun and raising money…
There were Plenty of fun activities and on-site fundraisers to participate in – lots of cool stuff to purchase. And Lots of food and drink! There was a Silent Auction. It was an awesome experience to get out and socialize with the different teams and participate in their activities. All monies made on-site went into the pot for the final count.
Best Buy’s Team FireHouse had a Fabulous activity area! They brought 2 large flat-screen TVs and had Rock Band set-up on one, and various video games set-up on the other. For a donation, people could play a timed period of either one – Boy those were 2 Very Popular activities! Team FireHouse also was raffling off a Wii Gift Basket, which had a Wii system and various Wii accessories. Tickets were $5/each and my Mom was Seriously Selling Those Tickets!!
Team FireHouse also has a caricature table, manned by Josie, who is an Awesome artist! His table was Always busy!
Some of the activities offered by the different teams included a blow-up theater movie screen which showed popular animated movies for kids of all ages, “sumo” (suit) wrestling, a “jail”, to incarcerate your favorite “criminal”, cake walk, roulette-style wheels for spinning for prizes, numerous raffles and so many more to remember… (I’m actually waiting for the official list to be posted so that I can give credits due to all the wonderful on-site fundraiser activities).
Items sold to raise funds were wide and varied. There were Lots of different bracelets – from the “standard” silicone bands to lovely silver and bead creations . There were All Sorts of inexpensive items to play with - temporary tattoos, whistles, glo-sticks, blinkers…
Event Schedule
Time = = What’s Happening
= = Entertainment/Music
* 6:30 pm = = Comedian
* 7:00 pm = = Opening Ceremony
* 8:00 pm = = Survivor Ceremony Survivor Lap & Caregiver Lap
* 9:15 pm = = Lava Lighters begin making rounds, followed by the Hush Angels
* 9:30 pm = = First Silent Auction section closes; Luminaria Ceremony; Lights out and Silent Lap
* 10:00 pm = = Segue into Fight Back Ceremony Fight Back Lap *Special Guest Appearance: Elvis!*
* 10:45 pm = = Second Silent Auction section closes
* 11:00 pm = = Get Lei’d with Elvis Lap
* 11:30 pm = = Keiki Lap (Hawaiian for Kids; lap honoring kids and youths for their participation)
* 12:00 midnight = = Midnight Madness Lap – anything goes: Hula Dancers, Hula Hoopers or anything involving a hula or hoop or Hula Hotties – both guys and ladies, grass skirts, coconut bras, whatever! Last loud lap!
* 1:00 am = = Hawaiian Shirt/Dress Lap
* 2:00 am = = Wipe Out — Surfin’ USA Lap! (Surf Boards, boogie boards… get your “Moon Doggie” gear!)
* 3:00 am = = Get Lei’d Lap (collect leis; those giving them out can require those receiving to do as they request- sing a song, so a little dance, bark like a dog, donate a buck, etc.)
* 4:00am = = Flip Flop Flap Lap (Wear your weirdest, wildest flip flops – or whatever flip flops you’ve got)
* 5:00 am = = Zombie Lap (Dress the way you feel at 5:00am: Fuzzy slippers, ratty P.J.’s whatever.)
* 6:00 am = = Team Photo Lap before the closing ceremony
= = Closing Ceremony
Final Counts
* Teams: 66
* Participants: 1137
* Dollars Raised: $119,841.31
Top Teams
1 – Leopards for Life ($12,535.00)
2 – Coach K’s Crew ($8,910.00)
3 – Choppin’ Cancer- Phi Theta Kappa ($7,386.49)
4 – TEAM ENDURANCE ($7,155.00)
5 – JB and Me ($6,874.93)
Top Participants
1 – Stephanie Bowden ($2,545.00)
2 – Serenity Glazer ($2,530.00)
3 – Dee Dalager ($2,506.68)
4 – Janean Lyon ($2,260.00)
5 – Kimberly Coopwood ($1,575.00)
It was a long and tiring evening for me, I didn’t make the whole 12 hrs, but we did stay until 1:30am! And Yes – I Did take Lots of pictures to share!!
We had a Great time, and I Sincerely hope I will be able to participate next year…
Best Buy #1072 asked me and Mom to be their "Honorary Survivors" for this event. It was the first Relay for Life I've ever attended, and it was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever been fortunate to participate in. HOPE FOR A CURE!! 177 Photos
