WZAR News

Relay Comes To A Close - Video Report

Please stay tuned to WZAR for a highlight video, coming soon, of some of the events at the 2009 Relay For Life.

Events came to a close today at the Boyertown Relay For Life, but not without a magnificent twenty-four hours of fun and activities.

The event started at noon on Friday and ended at noon on Saturday. At the opening ceremony, Committee Chair Angie Sheetz told the crowd that they had already achieved over half of their money-raising goal.

The teams went around the track together for the first lap, then split apart to allow individuals to continue the relay. Each teams’ stand was decorated to show their support and some had giveaways and the Jaywalkers even had a miniature cafe set up to sell food.

As the evening progressed though, a severe storm ripped through the area bringing with it hail and heavy winds, damaging tents and throwing things across the field, forcing people to run for cover.

Weather or no weather, the relay wasn’t going to stop. After moving inside for a few hours, organizers decided it was safe to head outside again for the luminaria ceremony. The luminarias are used to honor those who have suffered through cancer in their lives. The light was passed through the stadium stands from person to person and the word “hope” was lit up across the field.

An surprise was waiting for the audience, though… a cancer survivor, and her husband read a poem while the word “hope” was transformed into the word “cure.”

The candlelight and luminarias created a beautiful sight in the darkness.

The next day, soon before the end the of the relay, the final ceremony was held to thank everyone who came out to volunteer and raise money. To wrap up the relay, the teams went around the track for one last lap, to celebrate another year of accomplishments.

The total amount of money raised: $109,645.17

Heat, hail, wind. It’s clear that nothing can stop these people from raising money for a cause they care so much about.

Storms Leave Relay Trashed - Video Report

Click here to watch the video report of this story.

A storm rips through the area, leaving the Relay For Life a mess. Nobody hurt, but emergency crews were heading to the scene moments after the storm stopped to assist with any damage.

When WZAR arrived on the scene, tents were seen crushed, and people were rushing to clean up the mess that the heavy hail and winds left behind.

Trash, tent pieces, and decorations were strewn across the field as the teams attempted to salvage their damaged tents and move inside.

The events are still continuing inside in preparation for another potential storm on its way. The storm also knocked trees down throughout the area.

http://www.relayforlife.org/paboyertown

The 2nd Annual Boyertown Relay for Life kicked off today, officially starting at noon. Hundreds of people are there and are getting ready to make their laps around the Boyertown High School’s track. Dozens of stands cover the field offering food and lots of other unique merchandise to help raise money for the cause.

At the start of the relay, over half of the money-raising goal was reached already, and the teams were eager to finish off the last half.

Please stay tuned to our website for continuing coverage and video of the relay!