The Grande Event Centre was transformed into a theatre Thursday night as residents of North Bay showed off their performance chops by telling unique stories in a fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Residents gathered to share laughs and reconnect around tables with the iconic relay luminaries as centrepieces. As it began to fill up, the atmosphere in the Grande was akin to sitting around a campfire on a starry summer night, and it wasn’t a far stretch to envision the delight that storytelling brought in a time before texting and television.
Event Organiser Shawna Fournier has been on the Relay for Life committee for four years and it’s been a labour of love.
“I think it’s important, the Relay for Life itself is this great party, it’s a celebration and a night like tonight is about raising money for research, for support, and for services within our community.”
Stories varied in both content and delivery as the audience was enthralled with tales of rubbing elbows with bigfoot, a multigenerational story of motherhood that included finding employment for a toddler, and even a brief but memorable magic show.
Lisa Hills-O’Kane was among the storytellers and brought a message of support and togetherness during tough times. Hills-O’Kane stated the Relay for Life is a cause near and dear to almost everyone in the city of North Bay.
“I think anything we can do as a community to support the Canadian Cancer Society and the research it does will pay dividends in the end to somebody we know and is incredibly important,” she told BayToday.
Lindsay Sullivan told a story of the therapeutic power of music and how it has helped her as the daughter of a Cancer survivor.
“It’s hard to find someone whose life hasn’t been affected by cancer and it’s great to be a part of something that’s trying to find a cure” Sullivan stated.
Community fundraising specialist for the Canadian Cancer Society Debbie Marson feels volunteers are important to the success of the society, and committee run events like last night's storytelling are integral to forwarding opportunities for cancer research:
“The committee has organized it, they have put the blood, sweat, and tears to make this happen to raise money for the Relay for Life.”
Marson also revealed the goal for the relay this year is $105,000 and is part of some of the major fundraising events along with daffodil month in April, the Run for the Cure coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, and a virtual gift giving that takes place in December.
Last night continued the fundraising momentum created by the Cancer Society committee, with organizer Shawna Fournier hinting that Carpool Karaoke would be an upcoming event happening soon.
For more information on the services offered by the Canadian Cancer Society and how to become involved visit www.cancersociety.com or visit their office at 176 Lakeshore Drive in North Bay.
