Relay for Life kickoff

Bigfork Eagle

“A Night at the Movies” will be the theme for the Bigfork Relay for Life this year, and that theme will be in full swing at the Relay’s Kickoff event on Wednesday, May 23 at Flathead Bank in Bigfork.

Relay for Life is an annual event that raises money to help the American Cancer Society provide funding for research on all types of cancer, improved treatments and an eventual cure. This year’s Relay for Life will take place Friday and Saturday, July 20-21 at the Bigfork High School track and football field. People may sign up for the Relay, donate or simply learn more about the event at the kickoff. Raffle tickets, caps and luminaria will be available for sale, too.

Participants in the free kickoff on May 23 can enjoy popcorn, movie-theater candy (think Junior Mints and Good ’n’ Plenty), cake and beverages, in keeping with the movie theme. The kickoff runs from 5 to 6 p.m. at the bank’s parking lot, or inside the bank if the weather is bad. Flathead Bank is situated at the corner of Highway 35 and Grand Drive in Bigfork.

“It’s a chance to have a little party, meet some of the people you might be working with and build excitement,” organizer Diane Kautzman said. People can also sign up for teams and learn more about Relay for Life at the kick-off.

Walkers must register by June 1 to get a Relay for Life tee-shirt. Each walker must raise a minimum of $100.

Speakers at the kickoff will include Dr. Jim Bonnet, a retired breast surgeon who lives in the Flathead, and 10-year cancer survivor Laura Behenna.

The Bigfork Relay for Life has a Web site, www.acsevents.org/relay/mt/bigfork where visitors can make a donation or register as a walker or team leader or member. For more information or to volunteer, call Diane Kautzman at 837-1622 or e-mail dkautzman@flatheadbank.com. To start or join a team, call Jolene Bradstreet at 837-1600. To donate, call Kathleen Wagner at 837-7601 or visit the Web site.