Mahaska County Relay For Life Makes Laps Around The Square
Survivors photo taken at the 2011 Mahaska County Relay for Life
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The American Cancer Society’s “signature event”, also known locally as the Mahaska County Relay for Life, strapped on it’s walking shoes and turned some laps around the square in Oskaloosa to raise money for cancer research.
The Mahaska County Relay for Life “Open House” Kick-Off was on Tuesday, March 22nd from 4 to 7 pm in the Cedar Bluff Conference Room at Mahaska Health Partnership.The purpose of the event was to sign up walkers for the event. The different teams came and picked up their information and packets needed for the event fund-raising.
The 2011 Relay for Life held a fundraiser Friday night, March 25th at the Kinsmen’s Keep located at 302 N. A St. in Oskaloosa. One of the main events of the evening was a purse auction. CB Liquor and Tassel Ridge Winery were present with many of their fine wines for wine tasting, if you chose to. There was a Style show with fashion pointers from different clothing businesses in town. They had several fashion make overs, with before and after photos, which kept the 3 represented salons and 9 stylists busy during the night. The participants for the make overs had their names drawn from a hat, were whisked away, and then returned by 9:00 for the reveal.
The big day arrived, July 8th. The survivors walked from their dinner to the square, where the kick-off began.
“Each of us has a unique reason for being here, we all have something in common. We want to make a difference, we want to fight cancer.”Jeff Akers said in opening statements of the Mahaska County Relay for Life.
“We gather here as a community determined that those who are facing cancer will be supported; and for those who have lost the battle, you’ll not be forgotten.” Akers remarked after a group poem reading.
Oskaloosa native, and now New York Giant, Tyler Sash was on hand signing autographs. Nearly 100 businesses made donations of either products for the silent auction or cash, or in-kind, donations to the fund raising event.
The silent auction raised nearly $6000, and the raffle for the 42″ tv went to Rita Vos.
Thanks to all the walkers, volunteers, and donors to the 2011 Mahaska County Relay for Life.
