It was a windy, overcast evening in Frostburg but the anticipated events of April 15th started on time as scheduled despite Mother Nature’s efforts. As the sun slowly began to set the crowd rapidly grew, dozens became hundreds and the 2011 Relay for Life reached full swing. This year’s Relay for life events took on a carnival theme. Numerous Frostburg organizations were set up around FSU’s track with attractions such as bean bag tosses, four square, and a kissing booth. As participants walked around the track various groups requested donations anywhere between 50 cents to $1 for their organizations in an attempt to raise money for cancer awareness and research. In the midst of the festivities one booth attracted donations with homemade cookies instead of games and prizes.
The Element, a Christian fellowship organization for students are newcomers to relay for life but they looked right at home alongside the more tenured participants. The Element is an organization run through local Cornerstone Baptist Church. They encourage students to attend their weekly bible study and participate in their community service and youth events. They became involved with Relay for Life after one of their youth members attended the event last year. The members of Element feel as if the church could benefit from participating in an event that is aimed at helping those in need. Pastor John Dodd believes that this event could also improve the church’s image. “People always see the church as taking money,” Dodd said, “Christ says to love thy neighbor, this is a practical way to raise money and help our community”.
About an hour into the evening’s events The Element had raised about $15. They sold 50 cent cookies to passersby, by evening’s end they hoped to have raised at least $100, all of which would go towards a better cause. When asked what inspired The Element to take part in this year’s Relay for Life, Dodd simply stated, “We just want to help people.”
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