"Team Huth - Battling For A Cure" - Relay For Life - 2005

Bob Kopf Photo - Click for larger view
   "Team Huth - Battling For A Cure" is the theme for Huth Road Elementary School's 2005 Relay For Life Team. Team Huth consists of 40 teachers, staff, and family members who have raised over $2000 by selling luminaries, raffle tickets, and candy bars. They have also had a Dress Down Day and a 50/50 raffle. Team Huth has glow-in-the-dark necklaces and students have made bracelets to sell at the relay on Friday, June 11th. Huth Road families have helped raise money by sending in donations. Students are also modeling the Relay For Life walk during their Field Days.

Sidway Superstars Relay Team - 2005

Photo and Story By Jodi Robinson - Click photo for larger view
   The Sidway Superstars is a new team participating for the first time this year in the Relay For Life on Friday, June 10, 2005 at the Grand Island High School. They have over 40 members and have collected over $1500 so far. Raffles, baby picture contests, a luncheon, as well as numerous luminaries, and two Candles Of Hope are some of the fundraisers. The participants would like to thank the Island businesses of Subway and Brick Oven for their donations, as well as many off-Island establishments. They are walking for many loved ones and friends but are especially proud of their two team survivors.

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Relay For Life and Massage Therapy- 2005
   Relay For Life and Massage Therapy - A Winning Combination -
Grand Island's Relay For Life is quickly approaching. Mark your calendar for Friday, June 10 and be sure to head out to the event. Islander, Lynn Polizzi, a licensed Massage Therapist, will be featured up at the high school track, site #52, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. She will be raising funds for the American Cancer Society with $1 per minute chair massages. All monies raised will be contributed through "Polizzi's Power Walkers," a team named in memory of her father, Deacon John Polizzi, who passed away two years ago. For more information, contact Lynn at "You R Worth It Massage Therapy" at 628-7169.




Get Ready For Relay For Life - 2005

By Jodi Robinson - Click photo for larger view
   It is almost here! The Grand Island Relay For Life is scheduled for Friday, June 10th at 6 p.m. There are over 50 teams participating to raise funds for the American Cancer Society by walking or running around the Grand Island High School track, some brave enough to go all night. Everyone is invited to join the festivities from the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. through closing ceremonies at 8 a.m. the next day. There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the evening, and refreshments for sale with all proceeds going to the relay, and a basket raffle with baskets donated by the relay teams. No one under 18 years of age will be admitted unless accompanied by a parent or chaperone from a relay team. Stop in to see what the Island can do when we all come together for a great cause.

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Relay For Life Update
Major Event June 10 - 2005
   In towns across Western New York, neighbors will come together for a single cause – to fight cancer and honor survivors. Grand Island residents will join 4,200 other communities across America on Friday, June 10, 2005 in a celebration of survivorship and hope at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. The overnight event is a movement that has swept the nation since its inception in 1985. Click "Relay For Life" for complete story.

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Crew-cut for Bus Driver? - 2005

Photos and Story By Jodi Robinson - Click photo for larger view
   Grand Island School District bus driver Michelle Driess is setting herself up for a "cool" look this summer. Michelle has challenged her co-workers to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life scheduled on June 10, 2005. In return, she will have her head shaved at the Friday night event located at the Grand Island High School track. Last year "Bus's R Us" raised over $2,400.00 for the event. Michelle would like to double that! Michelle's husband works at Verizon and offered to bring in a poster asking for donations from employees. The Verizon Company has offered to match any funds raised by the employees. Michelle is serious about raising funds as she has had family and friends who have had some form of cancer. Michelle said, "To me this is nothing compared to what someone has to go thru when they have cancer."
   Stop by the Relay For Life on June 10th and head to the "Bus's R Us" booth to make a donation or drop by the bus garage located behind Sidway School and you can make a donation at the office.




Relay For Life Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Scheduled - 2005
   The Island Presbyterian Church Relay For Life Team will host a Spaghetti Dinner at the church on Friday, June 3, 2005 from 5-7 p.m. at 1822 Huth Road. The cost is $8 per person and includes spaghetti, salad, bread and beverage. Desserts will be auctioned off.
   The Relay For Life major event takes place June 10th behind the high school on Ransom Road.

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Final Relay For Life Meeting Set For May 24th - 2005
   The final Relay for Life meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005 in the Grand Island High School Cafeteria.
   The Island's major Relay For Life event, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is being held around the Grand Island High School Track, 1100 Ransom Road from 6 p.m. Friday, June 10 to 8 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2005. Helpful information sheets will be distributed to team captains during the May 24th meeting. Information sheets will include team location and a list of suggested items team members may find useful and important to them while attending the Relay For Life event.
   Relay for Life, a family oriented evening of music, entertainment, food and beverages of all kinds, is open to everyone.

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Bullhead Bay Yacht Club Relay For Life Team To Hold Garage Sale - 2005

(seated left) Lois Affuso, Joni Howe, Roger Kloehn, Fran Burrows, Liz Reimann; (standing) Gary Roesch, Rita Hagerman, Carol Roesch, Elaine Clark, George Christensen, Marianne Christensen and Frank Brusino. Teammates missing from the photo are Dom Affuso, Clayton Clark, Lou and Reta D'Orazio, Edna Kloehn, Gerri and Serge Normandin, Eric Reimann, Peter McMahon, Eric Burger, Don Burrows and Sue Brusino
Click photo for a larger view.
   Bullhead Bay Yacht Club Relay for Life Team, pictured above, is planning a huge garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4, 2005 at 4068 East River Road. The team, chaired by Gary Roesch, has been collecting treasures for weeks to be sure there is something for everyone. Come and find toys, books, dishes, tools, furniture, antiques and more. All money earned will go towards the Bullhead's Relay for Life contribution. Those with items to donate to the sale may drop them off by June 3 or call 773-3967 for a pickup.
   Be sure to include this sale on your list for June 4th.



“Mike’s Marchers” Garage Sale - A Relay For Life Fundraiser - 2005
   The Relay for Life team of “Mike’s Marchers” will hold a ten-family garage sale Saturday, June 4, 2005, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Team captain Mandy Becker organized her family team to walk in honor of her uncle, Mike Duggan, who is battling lung cancer. The sale will feature something for everyone at bargain prices, and every penny raised will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The sale will be held at 1001 Carter Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.




Team Blizzard Sponsors Car Wash Fundraiser For Relay For Life - 2005
   Members of Grand Island's Relay For Life "Team Blizzard" will hold their final fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2005 at Dr Huggs, 2127 Grand Island Blvd. Dr. Huggs has generously allowed the team to sell their Super Wash for $7 - normally priced at $12. The community is invited to come for the wash on May 22 or to buy pre-sale tickets, which include a chance to win a 3-month membership to the MOG (Medically Oriented Gym).
   Team Blizzard has been raising money through several events including a Krispee Kreme donut sale at the HSBC Bank on Grand Island, and a Casual for Cancer where employees paid $5 to dress down for a day. "Many of our members have also raised money on their own through donations from neighbors and friends," a spokesman for the team said. So far Team Blizzard has raised $1300.
   To help Team Blizzard meet its goal of $1800 to benefit the American Cancer Society, its members are asking the community to buy a pre-sale ticket or come for a wash on May 22. For further information, please contact Anne Blonski.

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Buses R Us To Raffle Hand-made "Rag Quilt" To Benefit Relay For Life - 2005

"Rag Quilt" made by Beth Dommer
Click photo for a larger view.
   Beth Dommer is a 15-year survivor of breast cancer with a great love of sewing. A Grand Island resident since 1976 and an employee of the Grand Island Transportation Department for five years, Beth made and is donating a "Rag Quilt" as a way to raise money for the Relay for Life team, Buses R Us, GI Transportation. She chose peaceful, fall colors because she feels everyone needs to be at peace within themselves; while the contrasting stronger colors represent the strengths found within when needed.
   The 80"x 46" quilt with its 10 different colors and patterns blended together, may be viewed in the Grand Island High School Viking Mall before and during the evening concerts on May 11, 12, 16 & 17 and also on June 1st.
   Raffle ticket prices are $2 each or 3 for $5. The quilt drawing will be held at 10 p.m. June 10, 2005 during the Relay for Life Festivities and the winner will be notified on Saturday, June 11. Contact Beth at 773-7656 for more information.




High School Relay For Life Team To Host Variety Show Fundraiser - 2005
   Peter Poleon, team captain of a Grand Island High School Relay for Life team, has reported that the team's spaghetti dinner held on Saturday, May 7th at Trinity Church was a huge success. The High School team is planning a Variety Show which will take place from 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2005 at Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Admission is $2.00 per person and all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.




High School Team Sponsors Relay For Life Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser - 2005
   Peter Poleon, Team Captain of a Grand Island High School Relay for Life team, would like to announce a Fundraising Spaghetti Dinner to be held from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Adult dinners are $6 and children 12 and under are $4. There will also be a Chinese auction basket raffle and door prize.




Alicia Sommer, Survivor and Fundraiser - 2005
 
(From left) One-year-old Alicia Sommer, and Alicia with good friend and Relay team-mate Michelle Paternostro (right) at last Relay meeting.
Jodi Robinson Photo - Click For Larger View
   At the age of one, Alicia Sommer was diagnosed with neuroblastoma stage III (it was the day the Gulf War broke out). In the following weeks, she had major surgery to remove her right kidney, adrenal gland, appendix, part of her liver (no cancer in her liver thank God and her liver regenerated), and a very large tumor along with some lymph nodes. She had a central line put in attached to the right atrium of her heart so that her chemo and other drugs could be administered. To say the least it was the worst time of her family's life. Alicia underwent nine months of intensive chemo therapy, hospital stays, home health care, and transfusions. Bone marrow testing was done continuously along with cat scans, renal scans, MRI’s, bone scans, skeletal survey, chest x-rays, blood chems, urinary work ups, EEG’s, EKG’s, BAER exams. Alicia has had several surgeries since to follow up on some damage to her ears, although not all doctors agree that the chemo was the cause. Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that is very difficult to beat. More times than not, children will not make it through.
    Alicia is now a beautiful, healthy ninth grade student at Grand Island High School. She is the captain of the "Polka Dot Chix" relay team and is working very hard to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Read Alicia's letter to learn more about her quest and visit her as she fundraises with her team at the Boulevard Mall on Saturday, April 23, 2005 and Tops Market-Grand Island on Sunday, April 24th. Alicia's mom, Becky Sommer-Stufkowky, believes that Alicia beat her cancer so that she can give back and find a cure. She sure is trying her best!




Two More Relay For Life Fundraisers Scheduled - 2005
Bus's "R" Us - Bake Sale
Island Presbyterian Church - Spaghetti Dinner
   The Relay For Life committee has announced two more fundraisers.
   Bus's "R" Us, the Grand Island Transportation - Bus Drivers Relay For Life Team will hold their second annual Bake Sale to coincide with the PTSA Flower pick-up at the bus garage on Friday, May 13, 2005. The garage is located at 2451 Baseline Road (Sidway School) and the sale will run between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
   The Island Presbyterian Church Relay For Life Team will host a Spaghetti Dinner at the church on Friday, June 6, 2005 from 5-7 p.m. at 1822 Huth Road. The cost is $8 per person and includes spaghetti, salad, bread and beverage. Desserts will be auctioned off.
   The last Relay For Life meeting will be held at 7 p.m., May 24 in Grand Island High School cafeteria with the major event scheduled for June 10th behind the high school on Ransom Road.

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Polka Dot Chix At Blvd. Mall and Tops Grand Island To Benefit Relay For Life - 2005
   Relay For Life team captain and survivor Alicia Sommer and her Polka Dot Chix relay team are planning two fundraising activities next week. The Chix will be at the Boulevard Mall on Saturday, April 23rd 2005 from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., selling candy bars, relay bracelets, and taking donations for the Relay For Life. On Sunday, April 24th, the team will hold a hot dog sale at Tops Market Grand Island from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. When you're shopping next weekend, look for the Polka Dot Chix and help fight cancer.

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Relay For Life April Meeting - 2005
   A Relay for Life Team Captains' Meeting will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in the Grand Island High School Cafeteria. The committee will meet at 6 p.m. previous to the general meeting when event information will be discussed. Click "Volunteers" for more information.
Cancer Survivors Celebrate Life and Honor Those
Touched by the Disease At American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life”
The American Cancer Society invites individuals to honor cancer survivors and caregivers or pay tribute to those who have lost their battles with cancer to join a Relay For Life in your community. Click Cancer Survivors Celebrate Life for complete story.

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Relay For Life Captains' Meeting - 2005
   A Relay for Life Team Captain Meeting will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Grand Island High School Cafeteria. Volunteers are still needed. Click "Volunteers" for more information.




Spotlighters Relay Team Plan Movie Night - 2005
   The team fundraising for Relay For Life has begun. The Grand Island High School Drama Club, Spotlighters, will present a movie night at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 in the Grand Island High School Auditorium. The featured movie is Napoleon Dynamite and the donation is $3 for the movie or $5 for movie, pop and popcorn. The captain of the Relay for Life team and Spotlighters president is Carissa Bailey.




Relay For Life News - 2005
 
(Left) Grand Island's Relay For Live Chairman Mary Dunbar-Daluisio speaks to a crowd of over 80+ attendees at Tuesday evening's meeting.
(Right) Shown with deSignet/Isledegrande owner Reg Schopp as he presents a donation of 600 Chocolate House candy bars to Relay For Life are Relay Co-Chair Gary Roesch, Isledegrande.com editor Teddy Linenfelser, American Cancer Society Staff Partner Deb Bogdan and Chairman Mary Dunbar-Daluisio
Jodi Robinson Photos - Click For Larger View
   A very well attended team captain meeting was held by the Grand Island Relay For Life committee on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at the Grand Island High School. Registration forms were turned in and information on fundraising was shared with an enthusiastic crowd. Isledegrande.com donated 600 candy bars made by The Chocolate House for the teams to sell and it was all distributed before the meeting got under way. Raffle tickets for the purple Relay For Life SS Roadster, donated by Fuccillo Chevrolet, were also available for team sales. Teams were encouraged to sell food items at the Relay on June 10th as Co-Chair Mary Dunbar-Daluisio reported being hungry last year! Bake sales, car washes and garage sales were mentioned as proven fund raising winners by experienced team captains. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Island High School.

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Island Relay For Life Team Captain Meeting - March 2005

   The first team captain meeting for Grand Island's Relay For Life will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2005 in the Grand Island High School Cafeteria. Half price team registration is being offered for all team captains who turn in forms on March 15 only. For further information scroll down or call 689-6982, ext. 116.

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Tickets Available on the Chevrolet Roadster To Benefit Relay For Life -
Major Donation By Fuccillo Chevrolet - 2005

Relay For Life Co-Chair Mary Dunbar-Dalusio of Fuccillo Chevrolet shown off the raffle prize Roadster SSR
Jodi Robinson Photo - Click photos for a larger view.
   Tickets for the raffle of a beautiful, purple Roadster SSR worth over $45,000 and donated by Fuccillo Chevrolet to benefit the Western New York Relay For Life Team, are available at HSBC Bank on Grand Island.
   Tickets at $5 each will also be available at the next meeting of Relay For Life committee members and team members which is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2005 in the Grand Island High School cafeteria. A special half price team registration will be offered to all team captains who turn in forms at the March 15 meeting. "Get a team together and join us for this good cause," a spokesman for the Relay For Life event said this week.
   A major Relay For Life event will begin at 6 p.m. June 10 and runs through the morning of June 11 at the Grand Island High School Track, 1100 Ransom Road.




Relay For Life Kick-Off Meeting HUGE Success - 2005
 
 
Jodi Robinson Photos - Click photos for larger view.
   The Grand Island Relay For Life kick-off meeting was a HUGE success on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at the high school cafeteria. The high school men's chorus, "The Dominant Force," started off the evening with some old favorite songs. The high school cheerleaders came over from the basketball game to pep up the participants. Co-chairs, Mary Dunbar-Daluisio and Gary Roesch greeted the old and new relay team members and introduced the committee members. Deb Bogdan of the American Cancer Society, who is the Grand Island liaison, spoke of last year's event and the exciting news of the Fuccillo car raffle. This year's relay theme is "Hero's For Hope," that explains Mary Dunbar-Daluisio's sequined mask worn throughout the meeting.
    This year's honorary chair is survivor Laura Koss. A Grand Island resident, Laura told everyone of her yearlong battle with cancer and the help she received from the American Cancer Society. Last year's honorary chair, Ted Bates, joined her in lighting a candle, while Grand Island High School teacher Kathy Scarafia sang "Hero." Team Captain registration packets were passed out, along with hope bracelets to all in attendance. A review of last year's relay, filmed by Adelphia, was viewed at the end of the meeting. "This year's Relay is going to be bigger and better than ever before," a committee member reported. "Don't miss out on all the fun!" she said. For more information on how to get involved, call 689-6982, ext. 116. The next relay meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 in the Grand Island High School cafeteria. A special on that evening is half price team registration for all team captains who turn in forms on March 15.




Fuccillo Makes HUGE Deal With Relay For Life - 2005
 
Jodi Robinson Photos - Click photos for larger view.
   Fuccillo Chevrolet gave the Western New York Relay For Life Team a jump start on Thursday, January 20, 2005 by donating a beautiful, purple (the Relay color), Roadster SSR worth over $45,000. Participants from nine local relay teams gathered at the Fuccillo dealership that day to film a television commercial with Billy Fuccillo and his side-kick, Tom Parks. Many students from Grand Island High School who will participate in the June 10th, 2005, Relay For Life are in the commercial and pictured above. For information regarding purchasing tickets for the car raffle, call 1-800-ACS-2345. The Relay For Life Kick-Off meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at the Grand Island High School Cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Road.

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Island Relay For Life Kick-off Meeting - 2005
   Grand Island's Relay For Life Kick-Off Meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2005 in the Grand Island High School Cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Road. Captains' registration packets will be handed out at the Kick Off meeting. Committee members are asked to meet at 5:30 p.m. for set-up.
   Last year's American Cancer Society Grand Island Relay raised over $47,000 for research and services. Students and residents are urged to "gather a team together and come see what the Relay is all about." A flashback of last year's Relay of Life event will be shown as a way of putting everyone in the spirit that prevailed in 2004. Teams will gather at the Grand Island High School track on Friday, June 10th through June 11th when this thoroughly enjoyable event takes place to benefit the American Cancer Society.
   For further information, call 689-6982, ext. 116.
   The following is a calendar of meeting dates for Relay For Life 2005, including team captains and committees:
• February 8 - 6:45 p.m. - Grand Island High School cafeteria - Relay For Life KICK-OFF - Kickoff the 2005 event! everyone invited - team captains to receive registration materials - (Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m.)
• March 15 - 7 p.m. - Grand Island High School cafeteria - Team Captain Meeting I - First TC Meeting - Special: half price team registration for all team captains who turn in forms this evening! (Committee will meet at 6 p.m.)
• April 19 - 7 p.m. - Grand Island High School cafeteria - Team Captain Meeting II - Event information: survivorship, fundraising, logistics, entertainment (Committee will meet at 6 p.m.)
• May 24 - 7 p.m. - Grand Island High School cafeteria - Team Captain Meeting III - Last TC meeting: T-Shirt distribution and bank night (Committee will meet at 6 p.m.)
• June 10-11 - 6 p.m. - Grand Island High School Track - Relay For Life - Let the party begin.

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Island High School Students To Sell Relay Luminaria At Prime Outlets - Nov. 2004
   Grand Island High School students will be outside of J. Crew at the Prime Outlets from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, November 26, 2004 and on Saturday November 27, 2004 they will be next to Burger King in the Food Court. They will be selling Relay Luminaria. Luminaria candles honor and remember friends and loved ones who have faced cancer. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
    For the complete story, click "Luminaria - Relay For Life".

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Tree Planting Supports Relay for Life - 2004

Fred Claus Photos - Click photos for a larger view.
    Members of the town, The Grand Island Memorial Library Board, and Relay for Life were on hand Tuesday night, October 5, 2004 to help plant a tree in support of Relay for Life, honoring all cancer survivors. The ceremony is the first on Grand Island to earmark the community's efforts to provide hope for a cure for this disease. A beautiful Zig Zag Mulberry tree, donated by the Grand Island Garden Center, was planted on the grounds of the Memorial Library. Lending a hand were Library Trustee Barbara Birt, Laura and Ben Kose, Mary Dunbar-Dalusio, Grand Island Garden Center owner Gene Ryshkus, Kelly Perno, Cheryl and Sarah Chamberlain and Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. Also on hand were Jayce and Mikayla Claus who assisted the Mr. Ryshkus with the planting.




Tree Planting In Memory of Relay For Life Cancer Survivors - 2004
   In memory of Grand Island's June 2004 Relay for Life to honor all cancer survivors, there will be a tree planting ceremony 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 5 on the grounds of the Grand Island Memorial Library.

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