Morrison County community comes together to share memories, hope and possibilities
By Terry Lehrke, News Editor
terry.lehrke@mcrecord.com
“Wow — congratulations Morrison County!” Luci Prosapio said July 15. “Tonight truly is a remarkable night. It is an evening of memories, an evening of possibilities and an evening of hope.”
Beth Broschofsky shared her survivor story surrounded by luminaria, with the word "community" behind her.
Prosapio, along with Connie Hoheisel, chaired the 18th annual Relay for Life event in Morrison County.
It was a night of celebration — not only for the 994 survivors who took part in the survivor dinner, but in the more than $144,000 raised to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The memories lined the track, in the form of nearly 3,000 luminaria bearing the names of cancer survivors and victims.
More than 300 people made up 28 teams, each having devoted months to selling the luminaria and committed to stay the night, walking the track, surrounded by those memories. Many volunteers devoted their time as well, becoming part of the Relay steering committee that put the event together.
The possibility and the hope of the evening Prosapio spoke about, was that with continued research, cancer could be eliminated as a threat. That is where many of the dollars raised are used.
Prosapio offered a message to those currently battling cancer and those who had recently lost loved ones to the disease.
Tanner Magee, 13, shared his cancer journey that has taken place over the past 10 years.
“Please know that we are with you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one of you. Know that you are surrounded by a community who will stand beside you as you continue on this journey,” she said.
And community was a theme brought up over and over — the Morrison County community — luminaria set up in the Flyer Field bleachers spelling out the word that would light up the night — “community.”
During the early program, 13-year-old Tanner Magee, a 10-year survivor of childhood leukemia, shared his story. He’d like someday to become a doctor to help children in dealing with the same thing he did.
Groups of survivors, children and the teams, each took a turn at walking a lap, while the crowd gathered cheered them on, also part of the early program.
A dove release highlighted the early ceremony, as survivors lifted and released the doves to fly into the heavens. Music was provided by “Rise Above.”
As part of the luminaria ceremony, held later in the evening when the candles inside each luminary were lit, top fundraisers were honored.
The top five fundraising teams were honored during the 18th annual Relay for Life event, July 15. Taking fifth place was Vision Seekers - $6,427; fourth - Spirit Lifters - $7,592.53; third - Bookin’ It - $8,945.58; second - Ben’s Battalion - $9,432; and first - Pat’s Patriots - $9,462. Pictured representing their teams, standing on the appropriate blocks are (from left): Madison Thorson and Shannon Holtz of Spirit Lifters; Lisa Meyer of Ben’s Battalion; Amy Copa of Pat’s Patriots; Kathleen Huebner of Bookin’ It and and Traci Lutzke of Vision Seekers.
The top five fundraising teams honored included fifth place Vision Seekers, with a total of $6,427; fourth place – Spirit Lifters, with a total of $7,592.53; third – Bookin’ It, with a total of $8,945.58; second – Ben’s Battalion, with a total of $9,432; and first – Pat’s Patriots, with a total of $9,462.
The top five fundraising individuals included fifth – Mary Ellen Barnes, who raised $2,591.80; fourth – Laura Hansen, who raised $2,614; third – Kathleen Huebner, with $2,778.50 raised; second – Curt Copa, $5,031 and first place – Mary Lou Kasella, who raised $6,450.
The bronze sponsors for the event were presented with plaques, and the gold sponsor of the Relay for Life event, was again the Pierz Knights of Columbus (KC), St. Isidore Council 3982. Each year, the Pierz KCs hold a buffalo feed and raffle in January. Half of the proceeds of this event are donated to the Relay — this year, $21,350.
Five individuals were recognized for having raised the most money for the 18th annual Relay for Life, July 15, Pictured are (from left): Fourth place - Laura Hansen, who raised $2,614; second place - Curt Copa, who raised $5,031; first place - Mary Lou Kasella, who raised $6,450; third place - Kathleen Huebner, who raised $2,778.50. Not pictured is the fifth place winner, Mary Ellen Barnes, who raised $2,591.80.
The traveling plaque to recognize outstanding fundraising by a youth-led Relay for Life team will remain for another year with the Pierz High School National Honor Society (NHS)team.
Beth Broschofsky, a member of the Pierz NHS team, was the night’s keynote speaker. Broschofsky will celebrate a year of survivorship, following her August 2010 diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma.
The luminaria were lit prior to her speech, so as Broschofsky shared her story, she was surrounded by the luminaria as the word “community” glowed behind her. She would light the final luminaria — one saying “Celebrate,” one saying “Remember” and the third “Fight Back.”
As she did so, Prosapio said to those present, “I ask that you stop for a moment to think about those in this community and in your own life who have been affected by cancer – honor those we have lost, celebrate those who have survived and support those currently fighting this disease. I ask that you take a moment, send up a prayer, and honor these people.”
Over the past decade, not including the 2011 event, the community of Morrison County has raised more than $1.3 million for the American Cancer Society during its annual Relay for Life events.
Photos of the night can be found on the Record’s Web site: www.mcrecord.com.
