Luminaria service to be held in place of typical Relay For Life
Three hundred luminarias will surround the courthouse Friday to honor and remember those who fought cancer. The service will be held from 8-10 p.m. Friday, July 17, on the court square. (File)
Three hundred luminarias will surround the courthouse Friday to honor and remember those who fought cancer.
Coshocton’s typical American Cancer Society Relay For Life event couldn’t be held this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, so organizers planned a luminaria service to take its place.
“I just felt we owed it to our survivors and caregivers to still remember them, honor them, and walk,” said Amber Goddard, lead chairman. “Everyone worked so hard and the luminarias mean so much.”
The service will be held from 8-10 p.m. Friday, July 17, on the court square.
“If people want to make a bag and bring it down ahead of time they are welcome to do that,” Goddard said. “We will put a candle in and light them.”
Organizers partnered with WTNS, which will play music during the two hours.
“We will tell people they can tune in to listen to some good music,” Goddard said. “I also asked for a no parking order so people can drive around or walk around while practicing social distancing.”
Goddard has been involved with Relay For Life for 15 years. She started after her late sister, Alana Branstetter, was diagnosed with Leukemia as a teenager.
“A friend of hers from high school started a team,” Goddard said. “We walked and walked all night long. It was just so inspiring that I jumped onboard and got involved.”
Team Alana was then created in honor of Branstetter.
“We’ve lost seven family members and we continue to walk for them and friends we have still fighting,” Goddard said. “We raise money all year long with the hope of finding a cure someday.”
So far Coshocton County Relay For Life has raised $23,000, but the official year doesn’t end until August. Donations can be made at the luminaria service or by visiting www.cancer.org.
Category: People & Places
