The Versailles Republican Headline News

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UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING JUNE 16, 2016 11:30 A.M.

Ripley County Relay for Life raises $117,000

Arlene Knudson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Love. Fight. Hope. This is the challenge Luann Walsman shared with the crowd at the 21st annual Relay for Life. Walsman, along with husband, Scott, and daughter, Emma, shared their moving story of loving, fighting, and hoping for a cure for cancer. Cancer struck their younger daughter, Sophia, and although Sophia lost the fight for human life, her love and hope continues through the lives of people she has touched.

ARLENE KNUDSON PHOTO
Co-chairs of the Ripley County Relay for Life, Jeni Schnebelt and Mark Osborne, make some announcements to the crowd.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life event is an experience that evokes emotions from anger at this disease, to mourning the loss of loved ones, to remembering the good times, and to determination to continue the fight for others. The stories that are shared, the relationships that are formed, the friendships that are more firmly cemented all come together within this 24-hour period. Relay is not just about raising funds for future cures and hope; it’s about making every day a day to celebrate. This year’s Relay took place June 11-12 at Jac-Cen-Del High School. According to Jeni Schnebelt, co-chair of the Relay for Life, “This was one of the busiest Relays they have had in years.” There were several events throughout the 24 hour Relay including the Little Mr. and Miss Relay Pageant and the Midnight Glow Run where 74 runners participated. Over $117,000 was raised and money is still coming in. Donations can be made until August. There were 29 teams with over 400 people who participated in the Relay.

Local Bulletin Board

Deadline: Friday, August 5
Tyson Fund grant applications available
It is almost here! What you ask? Many years ago, before Jim Tyson passed away, he wanted to set up a system to perpetually assist the residents in Versailles with things that might otherwise increase their taxes. He decided that he would set up a trust so that groups that are nonprofit and hold an IRS 501c (3) or (4) exemption could request funds to help them out with projects that would otherwise fall on the taxpayers in the Versailles area! Each year about this time, an open application process is offered so that the Tyson Fund Trustees can decide what projects will benefit from this year’s trust distribution. To qualify for the funds you must be from/in the Versailles area. Must be nonprofit and must hold an IRS 501c (3) or (4) exemption. To learn more and find out how to apply pick up a copy of The Versailles Republican dated May 26.