HOUGHTON LAKE – Survivors, Caregivers, Relay teams and supporters came out by the hundreds to support Roscommon County Relay for Life 2016.
A year’s worth of fundraisers by teams and the community put Relay’s raised funds at $86,881.35 and with all expected pledges, Relay was able to make over its goal and up to $100,000 after final tally. The 12-hour event was hosted on June 25 at the Houghton Lake High School Bobcat field from Noon to Midnight.
The event began with DJ and Entertainer Kaitlyn Yarger singing the National Anthem followed by a welcoming speech as to why the event was taking place. The survivor’ were then asked to take their place on the track and start off the event like each year with the survivor’ lap around. There were 199 registered survivors at this years Relay.
‘The very high temperatures may have shied away some people from coming out’, said Relay Event Lead Carol Thelen. However there was still 600 people that came out in support of the event.
New things were done this year, such as a pig roast, additional Bounce houses for the kids, and basketballs donated by Mark Vick to bounce around the track once an hour to, ‘break up the normal lap’, said Vick. Both children and adults were participating in the bouncing of basketballs around the track.
This year there was also a Tribute Garden featuring names of survivors and caregivers, which was lit up by solar lights in the evening.
‘We heard many compliments on how our Relay is ran from people who came in from other cities to see how we do ours.’
‘We are already working on new ideas for next years Relay for Life to make it even better and more enjoyable for all.’, Said Carol Thelen
The event ended with the lighting of the traditional luminary bags in honor of those who lost their battle to cancer. After which the evening came to a close, everyone packed up their tents to head home while hopeful for an even bigger and better next year.
