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To the editor:
Having recently cleaned up, packed up and put away my numerous notes for the 17th Annual Fairfield Relay For Life Survivor Reception, I am pleased and honored to thank the numerous businesses and people who helped make this reception, where local cancer survivors and their caregivers were able to come and be honored for their courage in their personal battle with cancer, a success.
The reception, attended by 134 registered survivors and their caregivers, gave attendees an opportunity to meet and talk with other cancer survivors and caregivers, while enjoying dinner, desserts, entertainment, and door prizes.
First, I want to thank Gillian Clark, the local ACS Relay for Life specialist, along with Norci Korchman, past Survivor Reception Chair, who were there for me every step of the way, answering my numerous questions. Also, a big thank you to my Survivor Reception Co-Chair Audrey Wood. Special thanks to our Honorary Youth Chair, Viviana Rivera, and Honorary Adult Chair, Paul Fletcher.
Thank you to the Rev. Alida Ward, who started the reception with a beautiful blessing. The McKinley Singers, led by Lisa Bettke, did a fabulous job with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
The following businesses donated food, which was enjoyed by attendees: Billy’s Bakery, Black Rock Café, Chips, Circle Diner, Cinzano’s, Maione’s, Mamma Mina’s, Nauti Dolphin, Panera Bread, Pizza Palace, Primo Pizza, ShopRite, Southern Connecticut Oil & Ice, Stop & Shop (Villa Avenue and Kings Highway locations), Subway, Tomato & Basil, Village Bagels, and Whole Foods.
A big thank you to Ganim’s Garden Center for their gorgeous floral centerpieces, which were admired by many; St. Anthony’s Church for the beautiful healing shawls; and O&G Industries, which provided the river rocks that I made into “Hope Stones” with two co-workers.
Many Survivors enjoyed fabulous door prizes from The Bridgeport Bluefish, Calico of Westport, Discovery Museum, The Grilled Cheese Eatery, Lia Sophia, Massage Envy, Red Mango, Redbox, and Splash Car Wash, as well as other gift cards donated by Melissa Rosenbluh and Pam Suchocki.
Please patronize these fine merchants who helped make the Survivor Reception a success.
Also, I need to thank the many people who helped with the reception by donating food, supplies, time, and moral support: Ana Barbosa, Betty Gunter, Bob Horvath, Carol Aducci, Cathy Plavcan, Dareen Nicholls, Debbie and Nicole Wamser, Jill Kellerman, Joy & Joel Goldowsky, Linda Piliero, Liz Lyons, Louise Vezina, Lynne Yaversky, Marie Stalling, Melissa Rosenbluh, Michael Horatis, Paul Fletcher, Shannon Goodchild, Tricia Money, Boy Scout Troop 199 (Lisa and Christian Kinne, Pat and Sean Raftery, Flo, Paul and Thomas O’Brien, Kelton Engemann, Kate Carroll, and Chris Granger), the Junior Women’s Club (Marlene Battista, Nancy Davidson, and Garbrielle Ambrose ), Dave Schultz and his staff at FLHS, the FLHS Key Club, and the teams that donated desserts.
As a 10-year breast cancer survivor, I have attended the Fairfield Relay For Life Survivor Reception for many years, but never realized how much work went into it until I became co-chair of this year’s Survivor Reception. Thanks to the support of everyone listed above (and to anyone else I may have forgotten to mention), the evening was a great success!
We, as a community, are affecting the lives of so many in a very positive way. See you all at the 2015 Relay!
With sincere thanks,
Patty Myer Mihaylo
Co-Chair of Survivor Reception for 2014 Fairfield Relay for Life
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