Still Time to Sign Up For Relay for Life

There is an energy and electricity in the air as the days wind down to the Relay for Life event at , Saturday.

Wednesday night saw the large meeting room at the Cultural Arts Center transformed from a large empty room into a bit of starry night magic.  Festooned with balloons and stars in the colors of Relay, purple silver and gold, the room served as the backdrop to the Survivors and Caretakers Dinner held to honor and celebrate those fighters who inspire others to fight for a cure for cancer.

The wonder part of the evening was that it was made possible through the generous donations of local merchants who provided the food and to the musicians who provided music for the enjoyment of all who attended.

Volunteers of the Relay Committee delivered the food, set up the tables, made up the table centerpieces, decorated the walls and windows of the transformed venue and served dinners to the Survivors and their caretakers.  It was a labor of love fueled by the enthusiasm of these volunteers—made possible year after year due to their dedication.

When Relay for Life begins at noon on Saturday, a big part of the event will be the township sponsored team, which is made up of several council members, as well as some residents.  The team has been supported by the donations of many township employees, family members and friends, all who have been motivated and inspired to take part in the event.

“When I first suggested that we have a township team, my goal was to motivate as many people as possible to participate —either through contributing to our team (which many did) or by starting their own team or joining a team that has their friends on it—it's the old—‘by hook or by crook, I want you to be part of Relay,’ ” said Councilwoman Camille Ferraro, who spearheaded the township team, and who is co-captain, along with Councilwoman Denise Contrino.

Contributions to the township team have come from township employees, residents, religious members/organizations and from Scott Sprengel, General Manager of Coach USA, the commuter bus service to New York. For Wednesday’s Relay for Life dinner, food was supplied by , , , and .

Ferraro said she was touched by the outpouring of support. The township currently stands at nine members, Contrino, Ferraro, Council President Michael Hughes, Council Vice President Jim Wendell, and others, including Donna and Victor Santamarina and their daughter, Ashley, Pina Riccobono and her mom, cancer survivor, and resident Maria Barone. 

“Incidentally, at this point in time, we are the team who has raised the MOST money per capita of any other team—although we have been on again, off again in the high three rankings…we have consistently been the team who has garnered the most money per team member for the Relay,” said Ferraro. “The outpouring from our friends and acquaintances has been, for me, overwhelming. Despite these difficult financial times, they can reach down and give—and I would not characterize one gift as ‘little,’ they all come from a sense of charity, generosity, paying it forward. Every bit helps.”

It's not to late to take part in Relay for Life. Sign up online at the Relay for Life website, or sign up on the day of the event for $10. Cancer survivors are free.