Relay For Life set in Woods;
Council approves use of park

The Grosse Pointe Woods City Council laid the support groundwork for the American Cancer Society 2010 Relay For Life Event at Lake Front Park in May, authorizing the event, contingent on liability insurance coverage, at its Monday (Feb. 22) meeting.

Mark Cohn, event chairman for the Pointes, stepped up to talk about the event.

“Cancer does not care who it takes, we have a three-year-old survivor on one of our teams,” said Cohn.

Cohn said Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event, and $70,000 was raised last year in the five Grosse Pointes. This year’s event is scheduled for May 22-23. The kickoff event will be held Thursday (Feb. 25) at 6:30 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe Congregational Church.

In other business, the council:

• Approved $13,000 in funding for the 2010 Youth Care Assistance program, contingent upon further budget discussion and the participation of other communities.
• Approved the appointment of Erin Rozycki to the Beautification Committee and Tonya Stapleton was approved appointment to the Citizens Recreation Commission.
• Disallowed funding for attendance at the Michigan Municipal League 2010 Capital Conference for cost-saving reasons.
• Approved the BAC Flower Sale 2010 for Grosse Pointe North High School, May 6, 7 and 8. The event is being organized by the Grosse Pointe North Parents Club with profits to be split between the club and the city.

Lisa Pinkos Howle was absent; she has been excused and will be unavailable for a few weeks for an undisclosed reason.

How to participate in the Relay for Life

Relay For Life is not a foot race, but rather a team approach to raising funds that culminates in a 24-hour celebration event. Teams create their own unique names and personalities, then raise funds during the months preceding the Relay which, this year, runs from 10 a.m. Saturday, May 22, to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 23. Fundraising efforts include everything from bake sales to bowling tournaments, and also on-line donation solicitation through a website.

In addition, teams raise funds by selling luminaria bags that are decorated and named in honor or to the memory of special people who have faced cancer. As part of the always inspirational and emotional ceremony, the candles are lit, illuminating the Relay path throughout the night and reminding everyone of the true purpose of the Relay.

All funds raised by the American Cancer Society Relay For Life teams support education, advocacy, research and services to cancer patients and their families.

Below, the sixth annual American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life of Grosse Pointe planning committee: (top row, left to right) Jan Treuter, Maiya Dempsey, Len Agosta, Jill Jarboe, (middle row) Walker Archer, Harriett Whitaker (wearing the 2010 birthday-theme shirt), Michele Wickenheiser, Chairman Mark Cohn, (front row) Jennifer Konwiak, Vice Chair Julie Borushko, and Laura Godzwon. Others include Patricia Gotham, Warren Liverance, Hunter Hughes, Karen Yeager-Stiver, Pam Burke, and ACS Community Representative Dorothy Busignani.

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