June 2, 2004

Willow Glen again holds successful Relay For Life

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Willow Glen’s 2004 Relay For Life on May 15-16 at the Willow Glen High School track was again quite successful with about 20 teams and 48 survivors attending. And, everyone had a good time. There was lots of entertainment and food, and lots of people.

After the opening ceremonies, survivors took their lap, well, actually several laps and then the parade of teams took place. Opening ceremonies included the usual welcome and introductions, with a blessing of the event and the colors presented by a U.S. Marine Corps color guard. After singing the national anthem, a staff member from City Councilmember Ken Yeager’s office presented a special commendation to the volunteers and participants.
Guest speaker Kim Vestal from KBAY radio spoke about her bout with breast cancer. She told her story with much humor, but that didn’t take away from the seriousness of cancer and the problems it causes for men, women and children.

Once the speeches were over, the survivors took to the track, followed by the teams. It was a gorgeous day, warm but not hot, with no rain in the forecast. There was lots of entertainment, which included Mystic Pilots, Lambert-Devou Combo and a disc jockey. The luminaria ceremony and lighting went off without a hitch. Keepsakes had sponsored luminaria bag decoration and many of the bags were in memory of cancer victims or in honor of survivors.
Other activities included a silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m., a barbecue dinner at 6, a pajama lap at 1 a.m., movies and popcorn at 10 p.m. and movies and pizza at midnight. The 24 hours ended with a balloon collection and with participants sending messages to heaven around 9:30 a.m.

Congratulations to the hard working committee including Jennifer Barry, event chair; Kathleen Pizzo, sponsorship; Julie Harris, team captain coordinator; Tami Garrison, food and beverages; Pam Greene, luminaria; Helen Lambert, entertainment; Kelly Duvall, publicity; Sherry Rodriquez and Debbie Evens, registration and accounting; and Rene Lepiane, the American Cancer Society staff partner. John Mclaughlin and Connie Krashoc served as masters of ceremonies.

A number of companies offered corporate sponsorship including Bad Boys Bailbonds, Carolos Castaneda’s Mystic Pilots, ComUnity Lending, Gas Products Inc., Geo. M. Robinson, Keepsakes, Lima Family-Erickson, Paradiso Cathering and The Coffee Cantata at Dry Creek.

A number of donors helped make this year’s relay a success including Airdome Orchards, Aki Bakery, Albertson Bakery on Bird Avenue, Albersons (food store) on Meridian Avenue, Baker’s Square, Chevy’s, Chili’s, Cinelux Theaters, Coffee Cantata, Coke, Dicks Bakery, Galli’s Produce, Hooz Donuts, Jamba Juice, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Marie Callender’s, Noah’s Bagels, Pepsi, Safeway, See’s Candy and Subway who all provided food and beverages.

Other donors included Andrea Stefani, Balloonatics, Lima Family Florist, Trader Joe’s, Smart & Final stores on Camden and Prospect Avenues, Home Depot in Gilroy, Six Star, Walmart, Orchard Supply Hardware, Peninsula Beauty Supply, Pizza Chicago, Pizza My Heart, Pruneridge Golf Club, Red Lion Hotel, Ripley’s Believe It or Not San Francisco Wax Museum, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco Zoo, San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose Giants, San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Jose Sabercats, San Jose Sharks, Sarpino’s, Six Flags-Marine World, Southern Lumber, Spring Valley Golf Course, Taxi’s, the Rodriguez family, West Valley Light Opera, Willow Glen Yogurt and Winchester Mystery House.

A large number of local businesses and companies also donated items to the silent auction and the raffle.