Actually, it isn't so much the relay that I enjoy - it's the sense of community it promotes.
And in that sense, it's a lot of other things around here that I think are pretty neat.
There's Relay, and MayFair, and the Pickin in the Park concerts, and National Day of Prayer - they all center around Gabbert Park, which happens to be one of my most favorite places in town. And they all help us gather together for a common cause.
Anna Marie and I went to the Relay on Friday night for a couple of hours. When she realized that some folks were spending the night there, she wanted to do that too! I guess I'll have to find a team next year. Or something.
Anyway.
I really, really need to remember to take someone with me to these events I'm covering, because Friday night reminded me how hard it is to do my newspaper job and my mom job at the same time. Even though we're in Senatobia, I still didn't feel safe just letting her run around without my (at least partial) supervision.
I'm just so darn proud of our community, and how they come together to support this. It's the third year, and last year over $30,000 was raised. I haven't gotten this year's totals yet, but I've heard they got even more.
That may not sound like a lot to some people, but for a town of about 7,000, I'd say that was pretty good.
They got all 10 of the dollars I brought, too - for three separate blow-up games,
It was nearly 9:00 p.m. when I had to tear Anna Marie away from the park. She was watching a dunk tank where some of the (dozen or so) candidates for this year's sheriff's race were taking turns getting soaked. She laughed like it was the funniest thing she's ever seen.
(I didn't tell her that as a reward for good performance on a practice standardized test, the principal of her future elementary school did the same thing a few weeks ago.)
I love summer. I love Gabbert Park.
And I love our little community.
7 comments:
Wonderful! What is the money raised for?
Oops, sorry! It's part of the National Relay for Life that raises money for cancer research. Teams form and raise money before and during the event (with food sales, a dunk tank, raffle tickets, etc.) Each team must have someone on the track at all times, and it lasts all night long - from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
They have a catfish dinner for the survivors (because nothing congratulates good health better than deep fried fish) and a big breakfast the next morning. And, they have stuff going on all night long, from line dancing lessons to a movie, to keep the participants awake.
I did Relay For Life too! I even did a little post on it last month. I had such a great time, but boy was I t-i-r-e-d!
Ohmygoodness...I'd love to just bottle of a little of your daughter's energy! Oh to be that young again. :)
gadzooks, but i love that first photo of Miss AM!! was that scream (as i imagine it coming from the picture) as ear piercing as i think it is?
No, Valerie, sorry, but it was more of a "tad da" than a scream!
Cute pictures.
My kids have participated in Relay for Life with youth group. My sister-in-law is doing one later this month, her first time walking as a survivor.
LOVE the pics of the divine Ms AM!
What a fun time...: )
Hugs,
Sue
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