The air is filled with excitement as plans are finalized for next Friday night’s Relay For Life.   The theme “Carnival for a Cure” has ignited volunteers and teams throughout the county.

Over 20 teams and organizers have met over the past months to ensure that this Relay be the biggest and best yet for the county.

The location this year is the new Russell Softball Complex, located on Hwy 97 South in Hayneville, across from DHR.

Opening Ceremonies are planned to began at 6:00p.m. with Hayneville Mayor Helenor Bell welcoming everyone and officially starting the relay.

Organizers said they are extremely pleased with the new location, in that it provides for plenty of space, parking and adequate lights to accommodate the growth in attendance over the past years.

Fundraising events leading up to this years Relay For Life have also been going on:  pre-Luminaria Sales have taken place in the communities of Fort Deposit, White Hall and Hayneville.

Recently, Hayneville  Associated Grocers handed out hotdogs for donations. Even the clerks participated by wearing Relay For Life t-shirts throughout the day and hanging a banner outside to recognize two store employees that are cancer survivors.

An upcoming event is the Annual Survivors’ Banquet, being held Saturday, April 9th, from 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. at the Hayneville/Lowndes Senior Center/Library, where cancer survivors throughout the county will be recognized.

Mrs. Joy Watkins, an American Cancer Society  “Hero of HOPE” will be the guest speaker.
The final activity on Friday night, April 15th (beginning at 6:00p.m.) will be filled with a Carnival atmosphere as survivors and participants walk continuously throughout the night, symbolizing the fact that “Cancer never Sleeps”.

A special luminaria  ceremony at 9:00p.m. honors and recognizes cancer victims by lighting candles as their names are called.

Carnival games and fun activities for all ages (young and old) will be offered throughout the evening for only 10 cents per game.

Food galore will be there- cotton candy, nachos, snow cones and funnel cakes will be sold for less than $2.

The Hospitality Booth will have free hotdogs, chips and water.  Prizes, plaques and trophies will be presented to winning teams and awarded to sponsors.

There will also be raffles (where you must be present to win) and entertainment by local groups.
The event is schedule to go past midnight.

All donations and contributions for Relay for Life are tax deductible and used in the fight to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, please contact the Event Coordinator Barbara Means-Williams at (334) 548-2298 or Bridget Mills  at (334) 526-1280.