Miller County is gearing up for its Relay for Life which will take place on Friday, April 13, 2007, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Jay Funderburke announced the event will be held once again at Spring Creek Park. This year there has been a change in the time. Because of last year's frigid temperature, the committee has decided to end the event at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14.

The Relay for Life is an annual, unique, challenging, and fun way to raise money for the American Cancer Society and has been very successful in the past with individual and group participation. Thousands of dollars have been raised because of this event to help those people battling cancer and also cancer research.

The concept involves teams consisting of churches, organizations, banking institutions, schools, and hospitals throughout the community. They come together for a night of fun that will long be remembered.

As of today, Jill Brown, team coordinator, said so far nine teams have signed up to participate. They include Peoples- South Bank, Colquitt United Methodist Church, Colquitt Free Will Baptist, First Baptist, Miller County High School, Miller County Elementary, Miller County Middle School FFA, Bellview Free Will Baptist, and Miller County Hosptial/ Nursing Home. Anyone interested in having a team may contact Jill Brown, team coordinator.

Several of the teams have already held fund-raisers to raise money for their team. First Baptist Church members were host to an Italian Cuisine, and money was raised for a day at the spa given away by Colquitt United Methodist Church. Bellview Free Will Baptist had a pancake supper; Colquitt Free Will had a cake sale, and PeopleSouth Bank will have a hamburger lunch Friday. Many other events will take place to help raise money. Relay for Life events begin with the opening ceremonies at 6:00 p.m., followed by the survivors' walk around Spring Creek Park honoring all the survivors. Anyone wishing to participate in the walk should contact Linda Dozier at 758-2602 to get your survivor t-shirt ordered. Please respond by March 10, 2007.

When dusk falls at 9:00 p.m., everyone will come together for the impressive, touching luminary ceremony. This is a candlelight ceremony held in honor of those who have fought the battle of cancer and in memory of those who have not survived. If you would like to purchase a luminaria to honor or remember someone special, please contact Suzette Little, Luminaria Chairperson at 758-5036.