Getting into Relay

by c. ruth ebrahim

At Bowling Green Primary, the little ones know they’re fighting the “cancer monster.” The kindergartners, first and second graders also learned that a little “change” makes a lot of “cents.”

Ladysmith third, fourth and fifth graders helped to “blot” out cancer by donating their ice cream money and bringing in piggy banks. They exceeded the school goal of $1,000 and raised over $5,700.

In total, the students, faculty and staff of Bowling Green Primary and Ladysmith Elementary donated almost $8,000 to the American Cancer Society through the Relay For Life, as of May 30.

Bowling Green Primary team captain JoNi Rollins-Davis said the students were able to fundraise for about two months.

They raised over $1,000 in one week with the “change makes cents” fundraiser.

Mrs. Wright’s kindergarten class brought in the most money and won the pizza party reward. The youngsters said they wanted to donate money to help their former teacher Mrs. Kitty Diamond “get rid of the cancer monster.”

Diamond, who took leave from school after being diagnosed with cancer, was announced cancer free the week after fundraising. Captain Rollins-Davis said the students really believed in the “magic” of the coins they donated.

The school plans to hold a Mini Relay from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on June 4 for first and second graders and June 5 for kindergartners. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend, but all visitors must sign in at the front office.

Ladysmith Elementary’s team the “Bull-dawgs” held a Mini Relay on May 30, the day of the community-wide Relay For Life event, as part of the school-wide Field Day. A 12-minute walk around the track was one of many obstacle course challenges they faced. It gave students the feel for what Relay teams do as part of the fight against cancer.

About 53 team members, including students and staff, also attended the main Relay event that evening.

“We feel that getting the children involved at an early age will help with the awareness of this disease and help prevent so much cancer,” team captain Rose Kelly said. “At Ladysmith Elementary, it feels good to give to others.”