On July 30, hundreds of little, lighted bags of hope will again light the way for walkers during the 17th annual Relay For Life of Jerauld and Sanborn Counties.
These luminaries, as they are called, help participants honor cancer survivors and remember friends and loved ones who have died from the disease. Making these luminaries involves hours of work by dedicated volunteers, many of them members of the Wessington Springs and Woonsocket healthcare communities. In addition, many donors decorate their own bags.
Donations submitted with luminary requests go to help the American Cancer Society fund cancer research and prevention, and provide advocacy and other assistance to cancer patients and their families.
The Relay returns to the Wessington Springs football field this year. Food, entertainment, valuable information, and of course, the luminaries, will all be part of the evening, helping participants celebrate, remember and fight back on behalf of all those touched by cancer.
Luminary forms are available from Weskota Avera Hospital and Horizon Healthcare in Wessington Springs and at Dakotaland, First National Bank and the Sanborn County Auditor’s office in Woonsocket. CorTrust Bank in Artesian also has luminaries available. Those wanting more information may contact Pastor John Paulson at 539-9632 or David Kogel at 350-7731.
The Relay For Life will be held on Saturday, July 30, starting at 5 p.m. with a free will offering meal and continuing with a program starting at 6 p.m. Throughout the evening, local entertainment and guest speakers will be featured.