By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It's not too late for Niles area residents to get involved in the 2005 Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life event.
The event will take place on July 23 and July 24 at the Niles High School football stadium.
Asmus added that some of the teams are organizing games for all the participants such as tug-of-war, hula hoop contest, bubble gum blowing contest and many others.
Many of the teams will also be selling food through out the day to raise funds for the event as well.
The opening ceremony will be at noon on Saturday, July 23, and the group would like to invite cancer survivors to join the festivities and lead the opening lap around the track.
Luminara bags can be purchased for $5 and contact Michelle Asmus atmasmus23@yahoo.com or (574) 273-1322.
So far 40 teams have signed up to participate at the July event and they have been fundraising all year long. They do events such as garage sales, port-a-pit chicken sales, spaghetti dinners, as well as dances and silent auctions.
Relay For Life began as one man's battle against cancer and a journey to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
In May of 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked, jogged and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wa. The event being 24 hours symbolizes a fight with cancer.
The hope with this event is that a cure will be found and the battle will be won forever.
All the funds raised from the Relay For Life events is donated to the American Cancer Society for research, education and advocacy.
For more information about how to donate to or participate in the Niles-Buchanan Relay For Life event contact chairman Michelle Asmus at masmus23@yahoo.com or at (574) 273-1322 or go to www. acsevents.org/relay/mi/niles.
Raffle for two tickets to the Notre Dame vs. Michigan State football game on Sept. 17. $5 per raffle ticket. The raffle will take place on July 24, at 9:30 a.m.
Raffle for gift certificates to the following: Pete's Marathon ($20), 2 dinners at Logan's, Between the Buns ($20), Applebee's ($20), Outback ($20), Appetizer or dessert Red Lobster, Primetable ($10), Bob Evans ($10), 1 dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Shelton's ($15), and/or Annual Pot from East Main Gardens ($35). Drawing held July 24, at 9:30 a.m. Contact Lisa Rutledge at (574) 273-5311 for more details and to purchase raffle tickets.