Ithaca College's Relay For Life team, IC Hope, represented the College well at the county's recent Relay. Thanks to the generosity of many, many members of the College community, IC Hope raised $14,400 for the cause, capturing the first place team fundraising title.
Team co-captain Anne Woodard was the highest individual fundraiser. The team garnered the most "Spirit Points" to win a cruise on the MV Manhattan. Third place awards were also won by the team for the best tent site decoration and the best entry in the "Road to Recovery" boxcar competition. The College was well represented in other areas as well. Deb Mohlenhoff spearheaded this year's Relay, assisted by Lynne Pierce who served on the Steering Committee. All who attended agreed that this was one of the best planned and most creative Relays held to date! Larry Metzger and Anne Woodard kicked off the Relay by lighting the Relay flame and presenting the survivor speech, and Yuko Mulugetta was one of the 4 torchbearers chosen to begin the moving luminaria ceremony.
IC Hope would like to extend a hearty thank you to all of you who contributed to the cause, bought raffle tickets, pins, and t-shirts to support us, donated time and supplies, and encouraged us. It was just terrific to see so many of our friends and co-workers who turned out at the event to cheer us on! In addition to the best team members ever, we would like to particularly thank the following for their support in this year's Relay: Arnold's Florist, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Cudlin's Meat Market, Italian Carry-Out, Ithaca College Bursar's Office, Ithaca College Bookstore, Ithaca College Conference and Event Services, Ithaca College Dining Services and Sodexho, Ithaca College Physical Plant, Terri and Cliff Beckley, Rhonda Berry, Dale Cooper, Anne Frisbie, Patricia Huttunen, Amanda Johnson, Laurie Kern, Kathy Lucas, Sandra Merrill, Kristina Miller, Dar Rider, Steve Siconolfi, and Peggy Williams. Special thanks to team members Steve Yaple and Marian Brown for their assistance in obtaining Wizard of Oz costumes and scenery, and to Tiffany Henry for heading up the decorations committee. Our tent site captured everyone's attention!
True to the Wizard of Oz theme, the Relay was evacuated early Saturday morning as a severe storm hovered overhead. Despite the dramatic finish, all involved had a great time, and Ithaca College's generosity, enthusiasm, and dedication did not go unnoticed by the larger community. We even tied in our commitment to sustainability by offering recycling bins at the site with proceeds from can and bottle collections going back to the Relay!
Next year our area Relay will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Please jot down the dates of July 13-14, and join IC Hope in showing the community that Ithaca College cares!
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20060809134548772