Relay 2008: One candle burned bright
05/17/08
By J.D. Walker -- Staff Writer
Posted: 05/17/08 - 09:01:25 pm CDT
ASHEBORO — By Saturday evening, the tents were folded, the volunteers were gone and there was nothing left to do but reflect on what had been Randolph County Relay for Life 2008.
“Everybody pitched in and cleaned up the field and got everything taken care of,” said Jon Vuncannon, Randolph County Relay for Life chair. “The people who take part in Relay are a class act.”
Vuncannon said official tallies aren’t in on the crowds or the money raised. He knows weather was a factor in keeping folks away. It was also a factor in reducing the number of those who stayed for the closing ceremonies.
“When the sun went down and the temperatures dropped, a lot of people decided to leave. Plus, we had some pretty strong wind gusts,” he said. “I’m sure people with kids and the elderly just didn’t want to be out in that.”
Those who left early missed a moving tribute, Vuncannon said.
Read the whole story is the Courier-Tribune
Friday, May 16, 6:00 PM - W. Walker Avenue
May 7, 2008
Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®. It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. Won’t you join us this year and be a part of Relay?
It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back. Your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward their mission of eliminating cancer as major health issue and will support much-needed services in your community. Thanks in part to the donations from Relay For Life and other events, the Society is saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight this disease all over the world.
If you want to be a part of the fight against cancer, Sign Up today for the Relay For Life of Randolph County.
After you register, make plans to join us at the 2008 Kick-off celebration. We’ll get the season started with an informative and inspirational event. If you’re interested in learning more or receiving an invitation,
please email us at
emily.leach@cancer.org or call 336.834.0844.
Thanks for being a part of Relay For Life!
www.relayforlife.org
More information about Relay For Life
By Chip Womick -- Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
Posted: 02/25/07
ASHEBORO - Jon Voncannon used to pass South Asheboro Middle School every year in mid-May and wonder what all the commotion was about.
That?s the time of year when thousands congregate at the school?s track for Randolph County?s Relay For Life, transforming the place into a sea of folks walking throughout the night for a common cause: beating cancer by raising money for research.
Voncannon only found out what was going on when he started dating his future wife, Nicki. Her parents, Larry and Christy McKenzie, had been integral members of the local Relay committee since its inception in 1996.
Naturally, Voncannon got involved, too, first helping out in any way he could, from helping set up during Relay to picking up trash after it. His initial experience of Relay?s ?organized chaos? was eye-opening.
?It really took me by surprise,? he said. ?I wasn?t expecting the event to be that big and I think the main thing that hit me was the emotion of the event itself, the sincerity of the people there, and just people helping people, coming together for such a great cause.
Voncannon takes over Relay's reins
$604,283 Record-Breaking Relay
Posted: 08/01/06
By Chip Womick -- Staff Writer
The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO ? The more than 250 teams working for Randolph County?s Relay For Life in 2006 produced a record-breaking year by raising $604,283.
It is the largest amount raised in the 11-year history of Randolph?s Relay, which traditionally ranks among the Top 10 in its population category nationwide. The previous best total was $602,000 in 2001.
?It makes me feel real good ? it?s a big old number and, with everything going on in the community, that?s real strong number,? said Richard Brooks, Relay?s 2006 committee chair. ?We just continue to have a lot of people work very hard. It?s unbelievable how much time and effort folks will devote to this.?
The total was boosted this year thanks to $102,000 raised via the sale of chances to win a custom-built Harley-Davidson motorcyle provided by Cox?s Harley-Davidson in Asheboro.
?That was a first-of-a-kind, one-of-a kind event,? Brooks said. ?That didn?t hurt.?
?06: Record-breaking Relay
Read the story in the Courier-Tribune
Posted: 05/20/06
Relay spirit: Key piece of the puzzle
By Judi Brinegar -- Special to
The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO ? Despite an early morning downpour, about 150 people gathered Saturday morning to walk the final lap of the 11th Annual Relay For Life event, which is held every year at South Asheboro Middle School.
Thousands of people from approximately 250 teams made up of families, churches, schools and businesses in Randolph County walked Friday evening and then throughout the night to help raise money for cancer research. Held worldwide, the walk has become the American Cancer Society?s (ACS) main fund-raiser.
?There are so many reasons why this Relay is so special,? said Chairman Richard Brooks. ?Where else would people get up at 2 or 3 a.m. and pick up trash (around the track) in the rain??
Relay spirit: Key piece of the puzzle
Read the story in
The Courier-Tribune
