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05/07/2016 02:49 PMTravel through town in the coming days (and nights) and you might notice something a bit more purple about the place.
From shining lavender lights on Branford’s Town Hall and Blackstone Memorial Library at night, to decking out downtown lampposts with big, purple bows, to stretching a purple banner across Main Street, Relay for Life of the Shoreline’s all-volunteer Event Team is once again working to “Paint the Town Purple” in the run-up to the big relay at Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) May 21.
Covering participation from the towns of Branford, Guilford, Madison, North Branford and East Haven, this year’s 12-hour Relay for Life of the Shoreline once again will support American Cancer Society (ACS) as a significant fundraising event. The relay will be held Sat. May 21 at WIS, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Relay Event Team’s effort to “Paint the Town Purple” begins this week and includes a kick-off station on the Branford town green this Sat. May 14, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Event team members will be on hand to share news of what’s ahead for the big relay at WIS (find them at the four-foot-high purple “Hope” sign on the green May 14). The public’s invited to stop by, purchase a luminaria bag (to be lit in honor of a loved one on Relay night) or find out more about what’s in store for Relay day.
“We’ll be there on May 14 to get the word out, share information and get people excited about coming out to our Relay on May 21,” said event co-leader Christine Ackermann. “We’re always looking for teams to participate, but our bigger goal is to get the public to come out to the Relay; because it’s a fun, family event that’s appropriate for all ages, with a lot to do.”
The May 21 Relay will continue traditions such as the celebratory “Survivors’ Lap” and add in activities and fundraisers around this year’s theme, “Carnival for a Cure.” Shoreline Prime’s food truck will set up at WIS, an ice cream truck will stop by several times, and another food truck is expected, as well. This year’s Relay will once again include live entertainment all day and night and feature activities the public can enjoy (such as group Zumba) while helping to support the cause. A new activity at the site, “Knocker Ball” allows kids and adults to climb into inflatable clear balls for gigantic games — or just knocking into each other — on a field of play (in this case, the field in front of the WIS track, where the relay will be underway). Knocker Ball will be set up from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on May 21; together with the WIS zip line (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.). Each attraction can be enjoyed for a nominal donation to help Relay for Life of the Shoreline reach its fundraising goal.
Now in its fifth year at WIS, the 2016 Relay for Life of the Shoreline hopes to draw 55 teams, 50 survivors, 500 participants and raise $90,000 for ACS. Organizers also hope to bring in many visitors to enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere and events planned, which is why they’re workign so hard to “Paint the Town Purple” to build awareness and excitement. Ackermann and event co-leader Heather Gaieski thank Myers Flower Shop of Branford for another year of building and donating over 60 big, purple bows to display along Main Street through Relay day. The Main Street florist shop stepped up to help with a similar contribution in 2015, the inaugural year for “Paint the Town Purple.”
Shoreline Relay for Life offers an inspirational day where many come out to celebrate lives which have been touched by cancer, while working to help ACS in its mission to fund research for all cancers and support survivors and caregivers. Support Shoreline Relay for Life by starting a team today, making a donation now, visiting the event team on the Branford Green May 14 or joining in on Relay day events at WIS on May 21. Visit http://www.relayforlife.org/shorelinect to register a team or donate on-line; or contact Christine Ackermann at cackermann100@gmail.com to learn more.