Crowds hit Relay for Life feet first
For three years, Jean Dove only wanted to see the luminary ceremony at Harlem's Relay for Life.
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Cancer survivors kick off Harlems Relay for Life by taking the first lap around the track.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
Friday night, Dove watched as the Harlem High School stadium went dark, lit only by the soft glow of luminaries rounding the track in honor of cancer victims, patients and survivors.
The words "HOPE" and "CURE" gently glowed from the bleachers.
"It was beautiful. It was very heartwarming," Dove said. "During the luminary ceremony, you realize that in a community like this, you know most of the people whose names are on those bags."
More than 70 cancer survivors, including Dove, kicked off Harlem's third American Cancer Society Relay for Life themed The Magic of Relay: Celebrating Survivors.
The 14 participating teams spent two months raising $55,000, which is $5,000 more than last year, Dove said. The society set a $55,000 goal, but the relay leaders raised the bar from last year's $30,000 to a $70,000 goal. Even though the goal was left untouched, Dove considered the relay a success.
"It is incredible. It was a huge success," she said. "It's just heartwarming to know people in this community have come together to raise money for a good cause."
The Rev. Roger Vest of Harlem United Methodist Church struts his stuff as a Duke University cheerleader at the Relay for Life Beauty Pageant. Vest raised more than $1,300 for the American Cancer Society.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
Raising money wasn't the hardest part. It was staying awake to walk the track all night. Team members kept busy by singing karaoke, dancing on the football field and wearing wild pajamas and hats.
The Rev. Roger Vest, of Harlem United Methodist Church, was named Miss Harlem Relay after he raised more than $1,300 in less than 15 minutes while dressed as a Duke University cheerleader - body glitter and pom poms included - during the mock-beauty contest.
Eddie Walker, owner of Eddie Walker's Ice Sculptures, Catering and Specialty Cakes, donated a commemorative ice sculpture that he carved with a chainsaw and rotary tool while crowds watched.
Terri Casteel (left) and Debra Moore arrange luminary bags at the Harlem High
Photo by Valerie Rowell
In the end, all of the participants involved had a good time and raised a lot of money for a worthy cause, Dove said.
"It was just a wonderful community event and all (the) participation was outstanding," she said. "The teams did a wonderful job."