When Cynthia Smith was filling her tires at E&C Gas Station last month, she didn’t expect to wind up with a new volunteer position.
But that is exactly what happened. Smith crossed paths with St. John Relay for Life event chair Mary Bartolucci who asked her to consider chairing the group’s Activities Committee.
“She said it was fun and I should do it,” said Smith. “I told her to let me think about it and while I was considering it, a friend of mine passed away from cancer. I was wondering what I could do to honor his memory.”
“You can write letters and give condolences, but I thought ‘What a better way to honor him than to give back in this way,’” said Smith.
As chairperson of the activities committee for the first ever St. John Relay for Life American Cancer Society fundraiser on February 19, Smith is in charge of most of the fun that will occur during the 18-hour event at the Winston Wells ball field.
Smith, a central figure in the Epiphany Theater Company and owner of Paradise Aqua Tours and One Horn Butt Fish, definitely knows a thing or two about fun. She and Activities Committee assistant Laurie Crandall have a bevy of exciting activities set up for Relay for Life participants of all ages.
The little ones will not want to miss the face painting, balloon making and blindfolded musical chairs. Smith is also planning to host a “water pong” contest among the youngsters as well as card games. A fortune teller will even be on hand to predict their long futures.
For adults, a limbo contest will have them showing off their flexibility while a tug of war will have Relay for Life participants flexing their muscles. Musical chairs for adults will incorporate a scavenger hunt before they can take seat, Smith explained.
Throughout the course of the evening, teams will be able to participate in themed laps for the chance to win some fun prizes. A Mardi Gras and Carnival lap will get teams warmed up for the night, and the best themed participant will take home a special little token. Other themes for laps during the event include toga, superhero, hula hoop, Victoria’s Secret and stiletto.
“We’re also going to have a hot potato lap,” said Smith. “We’re asking team members to bring their sleaziest little number, clean, in a ziplock bag. Members during this lap will hand over the bags until the music stops and then they have to wear the outfit in their hand.”
There are 12 themed laps planned for the night and Smith will give team captains a list of items they will need to bring to the event if the team wishes to participate, she explained.
“When the teams arrive, I’ll have a checklist and will check off if they have all of the items,” said Smith. “That way, we’ll know how many teams are taking part and we’ll tell them what time the themed laps will be starting.”
Teams should check in with the activities booth at the Relay for Life to check out the full schedule of games for the night. The Relay for Life will also include live music with numerous bands and an amazing performance by Cirque-tacular, an awe-inspiring troop of artists.
Smith is open to any additional ideas for games and activities for the night. She is also looking for donations to award to theme lap winners. To help out the first ever St. John Relay for Life’s activities committee, call Smith at 513-0514.
“Call me with great ideas for fun games,” she said. “We want to have as much fun as we possibly can while we’re doing the Relay for Life, which is such a great cause.”
