Cancer charity is ready to rock

A celebrity will help raise money for the American Cancer Society for the second year.

Harlem's Relay for Life team Tropical Breeze, formerly the Petal Pushers, enlisted "Elvis" to put on a one-night performance Saturday for cancer awareness.

It was really Elvis impersonator Damon Hendrix of Atlanta who did the hip-swinging last year, but the concert brought out nearly 230 people and raised more than $2,400 toward the relay's $30,000 goal.

"Last year's (show) was wonderful," said Cheryl Lowe, a member of Tropical Breeze, which is sponsored by Holley's Flowers. "Everyone who came out of it last year said they couldn't believe how much he sounded like Elvis. He is very good."

Hendrix will not be alone on stage this time. He is bringing the 13-piece CC Riders Band to perform with him.

"The band is wonderful," Lowe said. "They are very good. I went to Carrollton to see them, and I was blown away."

Tickets for the show, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Harlem High School, cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets also are available at Holley's Flowers, 450 West Milledgeville Road, or by calling 556-6979. Discounts are given to seniors and children younger than 10.

Like the other 17 teams involved in the 2004 relay, Tropical Breeze has been working hard toward its $7,500 goal - holding bake sales, playing host to the Wrestling for Jesus event in January and selling a cookbook called, Recipes and Memories, which features recipes from cancer survivors or victims and poems and verses dedicated to them, Lowe said.

Harlem Middle School, whose pupils raised more than $1,100 selling paper chain links, recently joined Tropical Breeze, but their funds have not been added to the $4,000 the team has raised.

"The kids did a wonderful job at Harlem Middle School," Lowe said.

During the city's first Relay for Life in 2002, participants smashed the $5,000 goal by more than $16,000. The goal for 2003 was a little higher at $30,000, which didn't seem to pose a problem as the 18 teams raised more then $50,000.

The city this year has set a lofty $70,000 goal, which Jean Dove doesn't find intimidating.

"(The teams) are busy and working and doing well," said Dove, Harlem's city manager and co-chairwoman of the relay. "We are going to reach that goal. It just seems to fall into place with all the community participating and opening up."

The actual relay is set for April 23-24 at the Harlem High School track.

The all-night event will include one person from each team walking as the teams hold entertainment and activity booths to raise more money for the cause.

Many of the teams participated in Saturday's Trash to Treasures market and the city's team, Ollie's Army, has several fund-raisers scheduled. A golf tournament will be held at Three Oaks Golf Course on April 17, a Jail 'N' Bail on March 23 and a spaghetti dinner March 28.

Movie Night will be held at the Oliver Hardy Museum on Friday and March 20 featuring family movies. BG's Deli and Fine Catering is playing host to a bingo match March 25.

"Anyone who wants to do a team and has not signed up, it is not too late," Dove said.

To register a cancer survivor for the Survivors Lap or for more information, call 556-3448.