Relay for Life returns

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Relay for Life is returning to Wheatland County on June 13, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Kinsmen Park.
In support of the event, the Canadian Cancer Society is hosting a Family Dance at Strathmore’s Ag Society Quonset on Feb. 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“We have a really great planning committee and the way they want to do it is to do miniature events each month leading up to the Relay for Life to get people excited and involved, and let people know about the Relay,” said Siobhan Doherty, Revenue Fund Development Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society. “Our first one will be the Family Dance and we thought it fit pretty well into the Family Day weekend. It will have snacks for sale, face painters and a DJ.”
The event is open to everyone and all the proceeds will be going back to the Relay for Life, with the money raised from that going back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Relay for Life is a community event and having it back after a year absence is very beneficial to Strathmore and area.
“My head committee member, Robin Navin, she raised $7,000 for the Airdrie Relay for Life last year. We approached her and said what do you think the Strathmore Relay for Life needed. She said it needs to be a community family event and she really wanted to see the event come back,” said Doherty. “We think this could be a really great way to bring a community together while fundraising and doing fun activities, teaching your children about the idea of giving back, but also having fun at the same time.”
The initiative behind the dance was to get children and families out to an affordable event that everyone can enjoy.
“We thought let’s do something where the money is going back and it’s not too expensive,” said Doherty. “That was the main initiative, (it) was a great way for us to make money, introduce the events to the community and have a small event that everyone can have fun at.”
Tickets for the dance will be available at the door for $5 per person or $15 per family.