Relay for Life Chili Kickoff a Success!

Prospective team members and interested volunteers of all ages came out for a taste of some of Stow and Munroe Falls’ best chili, and to learn more about Relay for Life, at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Stow-Munroe Falls Chili Kick-Off Rally on Jan. 26, held at the Akron General Health and Wellness Center-North on Allen Road in Stow. The Kickoff served to bring Relay teams together to officially “kick-off” the Relay season. Team “Friends of the Angel” won the 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off, represented by Tom Stanley. In second place was Norene Jones, representing Send Cancer to the Showers, and in third place was Denise O’Malley of The Gray Matters. Winning People’s Choice Chili was Annie Bass of The Fighting Bulldogs. The five judges chose their favorites out of twelve entries total. The celebrity judges were: Captain Rich Smith of the Stow Fire Department; Punisher Pixie from Rubber City Roller Girls roller derby team; Shawn Porter, professional welterweight boxer and former US Olympic team member; Andy Malitz, Akron General Wellness Center Representative; and Todd Surrarer, from Medina Supply. In addition to tasty chili, attendees had fun dancing to The Wobble, flash mob style, led by two mysterious purple-morphsuited fans, and played a fun fundraising game called Heads or Tails, involving coin tosses and purple strands of beads. Norene Jones won the toss game and earned $106 for her team, Send Cancer to the Showers. And the finale of Kickoff was a raffle to allocate nearly $2,000 fundraising dollars from the Holiday Hope Extravaganza. The teams who won a portion of those funds were: The Gray Matters, Relay Like a Rock Star, P’son Paraders, Hopeful Hearts, and Friends of the Angel.
Last year the Stow-Munroe Falls Relay was a huge success, raising over $82,000 for the American Cancer Society. We expect this year's event to be even bigger and better, with a goal of $84,000. The American Cancer Society raises money for research for all types of cancer, as well as education, advocacy and services. The Stow-Munroe Falls Relay will take place June 1 and 2 at Akron Wellness Center-North. If interested in starting a team, or if you would like additional information, contact Relay Event Chair Brad Bebout at 330.322.5473 or at bwbebout@yahoo.com You can also stop by the Relay’s first Captains meeting, 7:00 p.m. Wed. February 6th, at Akron General Wellness Center North. Everyone is welcome! And be sure to eat at Bob Evans Restaurant on Wed. February 13th (3489 Hudson Drive) at our next community fundraiser. Bob Evans will donate 15% of sales to our relay when you present the event flyer at time of check out. To download a flyer go to the Stow Munroe Falls Relay For Life website at www.relayforlife.org/stowmunroefalls. Click on “View Event Details” and then find the orange Fundraisers & Activities button.