On Saturday, May 18, the Relay For Life Forney event was held at Forney Community Park from noon to midnight. The theme this year was Midway To Hope and all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Though it was a very warm day, it did not keep walkers and spectators from attending and participating in all the fun.
31 walk teams with about 230 walkers participated in the event, taking turns walking for hours to raise money for the ACS. Entertainment was provided by a Rockwall favorite, Blaine Mitchell. The walk teams set up booths with children's games, food, and merchandise to sell to raise additional funds. The walkers have been raising money on their own for the whole year. In fact, they will still be garnering money through various methods until August 31, 2013. As of today, the teams have raised $33,000.
A Hometown Hero award was presented to Kennian Short, a manager at the Best Western in Forney. He was also presented with a Proclamation from Forney Mayor Darren Rozell for all he did for the community during and after the 2012 EF-3 tornado hit the town. Mr. Short has been waging a private battle with cancer, but has been praised for his caring and support for victims of the tornado and for the Forney community in general.
A luminaria lighting ceremony took place once the sun went down, honoring those who have passed away and those who have survived cancer. The lighted bags were used to spell out the word “HOPE.”
Co-Chair of the event, Angela Brabham was excited by the big turnout, saying, “We expanded by having more teams, more sponsors, and more survivors than previous years, all while moving to a much larger venue.”