ELIDA — Walkers, runners, and cancer research supporters gathered despite strong gusts and 50-degree temperatures to walk for a cure in the “Laps for Life” event held at the Elida Middle School Track Stadium Saturday.
Rock music piped through the stadium speakers as students wearing tennis shoes, jeans, sweatshirts, and hoodies walked laps to earn raffle tickets. Others socialized in groups, one wrapped in a blanket, and visited tented fundraising tables.
Jonathan “Cheeko” Flores manned the dunk booth. A teacher stepped up and bought $20 worth of tickets. Ten throws in. Buzz. Down he went. A student bought $10 worth. The buzzer sounded again, followed by a splash. People were gathered around watching as Flores dared to get soaked in the biting, cold water for a good cause.
“It’s freezing!” said Flores after he emerged from the tank in his swim trunks and quickly covered up. “I think we picked the right activity and raised the most money, though.”
Students operating the table selling lemonade made no sales by noon, having regretted not offering hot cocoa instead.
Other tables, though, had a steady stream of donors.
At the $1 face painting booth, Arleigh Amspoker, class of 2025, chose a dinosaur on her cheek, saying she had also walked laps and is hoping to win the television.
The Latin Club’s poster seemed like a page from Harry Potter: “Oraculum Rogate…Signa —Bonum aut malum?,” which means, “Ask the oracle if the sign is good or bad.” After drawing from a bin, their fortunes predicted which prize they would win.
At the Quiz Bowl club’s table, individuals tried to outsmart members on trivia questions to win a prize. Bri Jackson, who was undefeated, said, “It’s a good way to get the community involved to make as much money for cancer research as we can.”
According to Melody Morris, Elida High School student activities committee advisor, some of the sponsors for the event included area businesses like The Flowerloft Florist (4611 Elida Road, Lima) and The Basement Doctor (228 E. Pearl St., Lima) that donated use of the dunk tank, as well as Elida teachers. However, many of the big prizes were funded by the Elida High School Student Council along with the “Good Vibes” student club, which focuses on performing community service.
“Because of COVID, we weren’t able to do Relay for Life last year,” Morris said. “The kids are having a good time and they’re involved and spending time with each other and that’s all we can wish for.”
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