Local Walk of Hope rounds up donations for cancer victims
Local Walk of Hope rounds up donations for cancer victims Posted: Monday, June 7, 2010 9:04 pm
Staff Reporter There’s no horsin’ around when it comes to helping cancer patients in Obion County. By night’s end Saturday, the community had saddled up and rounded up an impressive $156,000-plus for the 10th annual Hometown Walk of Hope. For the past decade, the local event has provided funding for the Obion County Cancer Agency, which gives funding to help cancer patients in this area meet expenses associated with their illnesses. Hometown Walk of Hope co-chairman Lorraine Gossett said a total of $156,016.05 was collected by the time the event closed out at midnight Saturday, but she emphasized that funds will continue to be collected throughout the month and a final total announced June 30. “It’s a good amount and we were really happy with it,” she said. Ms. Gossett said she and co-chairman Brenda Perry are very appreciative to the people of Obion County for their continued generous support during Hometown Walk of Hope’s 10-year run. “We are so happy that everyone continues to support it,” she said. She said the success of Saturday night’s event — which featured a western theme for “A Wild West Birthday Celebration” — was aided by “beautiful weather, a great crowd and team members with a generous community spirit who all came together for a great cause.” “The event was bigger and better than ever and the teams really got into the western theme,” Ms. Gossett said. “I just couldn’t believe some of the camp sites. We had a hard time picking the best camp site.” Hundreds of participants — representing 26 different teams — lined the track for opening ceremonies at 4, followed by a kick-off lap and the parade of teams, the start of games and a survivors reception. The evening of activities included a Christian concert by The Neals, a barbecue cook-off, a survivors lap, line dancing, “Hometown Idol” talent competition, the Walk of Hope version of “The Newlywed Game,” the lighting of Lights of Hope luminaries and a womanless beauty revue. Many of the team camp sites offered concessions and specialty food items, while others offered items that ranged from T-shirts to pony rides and commemorative photos made with a western back-drop. The festivities ended shortly after midnight with closing ceremonies, which included the announcement of the total raised so far. The 26 teams this year included groups from Reelfoot Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, First Citizens National Bank, Reelfoot Bank (two teams), Cancer Survivors, Sandra’s School of Dance, Mount Ararat Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Walmart (two teams), Union City Coca-Cola, Team Alexander, Women of Steel, the Union City J’Cettes (two teams), Dr. Kofi Nuako, Team of Friends, Republic Services, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Ladies Choice of Calvary Baptist Church, Star Physical Therapy, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, Crosswind Church/TN Quality Home Care and Hospice, First United Methodist Church and First State Bank. This year’s sponsors were BMH, Bill and Carol Latimer, Jiffy Steamer, Republic Services, Team Taylor, UT Martin All-Sing, Walmart, Cancer Care Center, Commercial Bank, Doctor’s Clinic, Dr. Kofi Nuako, Dr. Margaret Gore, Kizer Pharmacy, KYTN and the Quake, Paul Counsell Memorial, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Reelfoot Bank, Tyson, Union City Insurance, Amber Buchanan Pierce Memorial, CBK/Decor Direct, Collision Specialty, Crop Production Services, Farm Bureau Insurance, First Citizens National Bank, G&H Tool and Dye, Golden Living Center, in Honor of Pam Buchanan and Lori Buchanan Cox, Jernigan Surgery Clinic, Kohler, Ladies Choice of Calvary Baptist Church, Lake Road Baptist Church, Obion County Crewettes, Pro-Pak, Reelfoot Baptist Church, Snappy Tomato, Star Physical Therapy, Sullivan Dentistry, Troy Church of Christ, Union City Coca-Cola, Union City J’Cettes, USW Local 878/ Goodyear (which joined forces to move from bronze sponsor to silver sponsor status) and the Woman’s Clinic employees. Editor’s note: Winners of the various Walk of Hope competitions will be listed in coverage on the front of Friends & Neighbors in Wednesday’s edition. Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by e-mail at cmenees@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 6.7.10
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