People from all over Whatcom County got together in downtown Bellingham this weekend for Relay for Life, a community-building event and fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society.
Here are three great stories from this year’s Relay:
Seven-year-old Kevin
A young man named Kevin earned special recognition as a member of this year’s “Grand Club.” That happens when you raise 1,000 dollars or more. And at 7 years old, Kevin was able to pull it off.
There’s only one level above the “Grand Club.” That’s the “All-Star Club.” And you have to raise more than 25-hundred dollars for that. Most adults don’t even make the Grand Club, let alone the All-Star Club, so that’s pretty darned good for a seven-year-old.
So, Kevin shared his secret for raising money with the Relay crowd on Saturday morning. From the stage on the library lawn, Kevin told us all there are two things you need to do.
Number one: “Just ask for a donation.”
Number two: “Try to be cute.”
That’s when people started encouraging Kevin to demonstrate his technique. “Try it on us!” So, Kevin made his way around the block, showing off his two step process: Ask for a donation… and try to be cute.
In less than half-an-hour, Kevin graduated from the Grand Club… and joined the very exclusive All-Star Club. Yes, Kevin was able to raise 15-hundred more dollars, for a total of 25-hundred bucks, all going to support the American Cancer Society and its programs right here in our community.
Kevin got pretty emotional about all the support – his family has been touched by cancer and even at seven he feels pretty strongly about doing something about it.
Thank you Kevin, for all your hard work! You really are an all-star!
Pat’s Aunt’s Quilts
Pat, from the deWilde’s Rudy Family & Friends team, got a wonderful gift this weekend.
For the last 15 years, her team has auctioned off a beautiful quilt, handmade by Pat’s aunt, Helen, with all the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
Pat says she’s always considered herself to be Helen’s favorite niece. As a kid, she was even Helen’s flower girl at her wedding. But Pat complained that she was the only one who doesn’t have one of Aunt Helen’s quilts for herself.
Well, this year’s quilt is the last one they’ll get to auction off because Aunt Helen passed away a few months ago. Pat never got her own quilt, but she did buy a ticket in this year’s auction.
And… you probably guessed it… when the team drew the winning ticket, it was Pat’s. She finally got her quilt.
Pat says she’s pretty sure Aunt Helen had something to do with it.
Joe, the Sand Man
This was the 30th Annual Relay for Life in Bellingham. Joe, a member of the “Already Winners” team, is one of only a few people who have been there for all of them.
Joe was diagnosed with cancer 35 years ago, and today he says, even though it may sound strange, he’s grateful for it. He says the support he received at that time changed his life.
He tells great stories about the first few years of Relay, when a small group of people did whatever had to be done to put the event on. He was in charge of getting the sand to weigh down the luminaria bags.
In the early days, they bagged up a few shovels-full from the shores of the Nooksack River. But as the years went on, and more and more people bought those bags, it became clear that they would have to bring back multiple pick-up loads! So they found another solution.
Today, the sand is donated by Northwest Stone and Landscape Design. They’re one of many great Whatcom County companies that go the extra mile to make sure Relay for Life has what they need to put on a first-class event.
Thank you to Northstar and all the people and businesses who give so generously to make Relay happen every year.
And huge thanks to Joe and all the others who’ve put in so much time and effort to make this event a success year after year!
