American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Clark County will be hosting the 2021” Party in the Parking Lot” at the Vancouver Mall on July 17th from 5:00pm to 9:30pm.
This event, although not a 24-hour event this year, will still highlight the American Cancer Society’s mission, programs and research that donations fund. “The limbo that COVID put us through in 2020 has continued into 2021, but we are extremely excited to partner with the Vancouver Mall this year as a location to still come together but remain safe for our higher risk community members” said Lisa Houser, event tri-chair. “We’ve been waiting for the opportunity to come back together and offer the community a place to come celebrate cancer survivors, remember those we have lost and support the American Cancer society’s research and patient services with fundraising.”
The event will kick off with “Celebrating Survivors- Hope Car Parade” where survivors form a car parade during a drive-thru event. Volunteers will be observing current COVID guidelines and providing special edition survivor medals and swag. Starting at 4:30pm the event invites all community cancer survivors to come to the parking lot area behind the AMC movie theater, where they can decorate vehicles parade style. At 6:00pm vehicles will take off in a car parade and socially distant celebration. Swag bags will include donated items from community sponsors. Caregivers and community members are invited to come cheer and celebrate our local cancer survivors.
From 4:00-8:00pm the Vancouver Mall is hosting a photo scavenger hunt with a grand prize gift basket worth approximately $200. Details for the photo hunt will be given out the day of the event.
The Vancouver mall location Los Pepe’s Restaurant will be hosting at cash back event on July 17th with 20% going back to the Relay for Life, making it really easy for participants to having a tail gate party in the parking lot too.
Visit with community members, support fundraisers, get ACS information, decorate last minute luminaria bags, enjoy modified games and entertainment between 5:00pm-8:15pm
Utopia Salon will be back providing haircuts to donate to Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids from 6:30-7:30. Hair must be clean, not bleached and a minimum of 10” If you have that pandemic hair you are ready to chop, here is a great chance to do that! “As a 20 year cancer survivor who lost my hair during treatment, I’ve been looking forward to helping support cancer patients with wigs and after a delay in being able to donate my hair, I’m glad to see we can host a hair cutting again!” said Libby Mongue-Wymore, event tri-chair.
A luminaria ceremony will start at 8:30pm with a slideshow. Survivors will lead the way for this opportunity to celebrate and remember those touched by cancer.
“We are looking forward to having the chance to host in-person luminaria this year, honoring those who are currently facing cancer and allow those who are no longer here to be remembered,” said Mandy Dunn, event tri-chair. ”
The Relay is encouraging those in Clark county to donate $10 for a luminaria in honor or memory of someone touched by cancer.
These luminarias bags will be on display during the luminaria event.
Those interested in purchasing luminarias to be displayed can do so by going to clarkcountyrelay.org and clicking on the Luminaria button.
Local radio station KXRW will be hosting music and community educational pieces during the event, which can be heard by tuning in to 99.9FM or streaming from kxrw.fm on July 17th.
Volunteers from the event will also be hosting pre-event sign-ups for survivors and luminaria bag donations the weekend of July 10th upstairs in the My Perks lounge and 11th downstairs near the Auntie Anne’s Pretzels booth.
“We hope that the community will come together and join in the activities during our Party in the Parking lot” said Mandy Dunn, event tri-chair. “Normally Relay for Life is a jammed packed 24-hour camp out event, but we know our community has the heart to make 2021 still feel like a Relay for Life in a shorter amount of time.”
Participants are also encouraged to walk as many miles as they would like around home to make up for not having a track to walk on this year, and the organization is encouraging the participants to challenge family and friends to take part too and help raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
August 19th will start our online auction of donated items and bidding will end August 22nd. To view and bid on items, visit www.32auctions.com/2021HopefromHome All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
“After last year, this many not be how any of us pictured the 35th Annual Relay for Life of Clark County to go, but I’m honored to work with a team of amazing community volunteers who have come together to continue the fight against cancer” said Shammra Lacy, previous ACS community manager. “We are looking forward to seeing the community hold an event that still allows us to celebrate survivors, remember those we have lost, and fight back against cancer in a safe way, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in person this year!”
We hope you will join us. For more information, visit www.clarkcountyrelay.org or find info or sign up and updates on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ClarkCoWARelay
