Relay Recap

News Type: Event — Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:08 PM EDT

health, newsvine, cancer, newsvine-community, walking, positive-news, team-newsvine, american-cancer-society, relay-for-life, corey-spring

Corey Spring

From left to right: Greg Hoke, Corey Spring, Mykola Bilokonsky, Zaki, greta, and digitalscoots. Photo courtesy of Greg Hoke.

Cancer survivors finish the first lap of the 2006 Grove City Relay For Life. Photo courtesy of Greg Hoke.

Newsviners walking at the Relay (and pimping Brian Ford's sweet design on their shirts).

One of the early events involved men in drag. I swear it was to raise more money for cancer research, I just have no earthly idea how.

A nightime shot of the track, being illuminated by luminaria.

Eighteen hours later - the money shot. (Note that more money was donated after the 'check' was written)

Well, after a long evening and many an hour in the sun, the 18-hour 2006 Relay For Life in Grove City, Ohio has come and gone. So how did Team Newsvine do when all was said and done? Not too shabby.

Our team got off to a heck of a start by having its captain show up about 15 minutes late with Mykola. Of course, in my defense, it was worth the extra 15 minutes to get the large outdoor shelter to keep the bugs and sun off of everything, so I see it as time well spent. Team Newsvine's first task was assembling said shelter - a task most difficult for a group of people that implore people to 'Get Smarter Here.'

At the start, Myk and I were joined by greta, digitalscoots, Greg Hoke, and Zaki. Jynne wasn't able to come for the whole time, but was able to show up for a little at the beginning, which I missed out. She also graciously showed up again in the middle of the night to satisfy our food cravings and gave us entirely too much food to chow down on.

Of course, the primary thing done at a Relay is walking - of which some of us did plenty. After all was said and done, I tapped out at 80 laps - an even 20 miles. If I'm not mistaken digitalscoots did even more than this, and greta wasn't far behind, either. Myk and Zaki I believe did 20-30-some laps before they succumbed to the abuse and headed home.

It's interesting the variety of activities the American Cancer Society presents participants with to motivate them to keep walking. Digitalscoots, greta, and I took part in several poker and Scrabble laps, where you recieve a new card each time you make a lap, and at the end of five see how good a poker hand you have or if you can make a word with your five letters. Digitalscoots won quite an... 'interesting' prize from one of these poker laps - which we can find nothing more fitting and entertaining to do but send it over to Newsvine HQ. Watch that mailbox for something really masculine, guys. ;)

It was encouraging to see the amount of caretakers and cancer survivors participating in the Relay, identified by a purple sash and medal, respectively. Everyone seemed to have just the most positive outlook and approach to everything (sometimes too positive.... i.e. the Jazzercise instructor).

Alongside the track there were many signs put up by the American Cancer Society to remind everyone what the money raised does. Some told of programs like Road to Recovery, which provides transportation for cancer patients to their treatments and back. Other programs detailed were Hope Lodge, which provides temporary housing to patients who travel to another city for their treatments and Reach to Recovery, which helps breast cancer patients. Here are some other programs the American Cancer Society does.

Participants were also reminded that the American Cancer Society is the largest non-profit source of funding for cancer research. ACS also supports junior researchers whose work would go unfunded and undone otherwise.

One of the highlights of the event is the evening Luminaria ceremony, where each luminaria represents an individual affected by cancer. Most of the lights are shut off for this ceremony, and remain off until morning, with the luminaria lighting up the track for the night.

The morning brought with it the hot sun, jazzercise, Cloggers for Christ (if I'm lying, I'm dying), and a group of bellydancers that just flat out frightened me. Combined with the constant walking and our injuries that were starting to add up (I popped my knee towards the end and digitalscoots got an earbud stuck in his ear canal), the three of us left were starting to long for a nice hot shower and a long nap.

The closing ceremonies finally came, where ACS cuts your team a fake check for the amount your team raised made out to the American Cancer Society. We found out around this time several last minute entrants like Wal-mart and the Gap had donated a substantial amount of money as well. Many teams also donated most of their money in cash at the site, unlike Newsvine, who as we all know are smarty-pants and donated everything online.

You'll notice the amount the check on the check is $2,065.37. While a nice chunk of change, our team actually donated more than this after they made the checks out. Our grand total, counting the last-minute donations, and the $20 bucks our team found on the ground and gave to ACS (which may or may have not been counted in) was... drumroll please....

$2,160.37

Again, that's with the extra $20 found at the event. As you can note from the Relay home page, this was (narrowly) the most amount of money raised online. It was also one of, if not the largest, amount raised by a new first-year team. So everyone can swell with a little bit of pride that when our powers combined we had a noticeable impact on a good cause.

I'd just like to say again that I am really pleased with everyone's generosity and support for this event. When I originally set a goal of $1500, I was worried that I had set the bar too high and we wouldn't be able to come close to this goal. Instead, the users here blew my expectations away, raising about $600 more for cancer than I had asked. You guys rock so much I don't even care about the sunburn, the blisters, or the sore knee I got from my part in the Relay. ;)

35 Votes
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Corey Spring's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Team Newsvine
Regions: United States , Columbus-OH

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{"commentId":178623,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

PS - I'll be contacting people who haven't gotten their shirts this week about getting them to you. Watch your email.

{"commentId":178623,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

10 votes

#1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":178627,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Good work, ya'll. Thanks much for all of the contributions and a big thank you to Corey for being the driving force behind this event. Allow me to be the first to nominate him as the first recipient of the highly-coveted Sixth Vineacity Blossom - if spearheading a campaign to raise over 2 grand for charity and then walking 20 miles with injuries isn't enough to qualify, I dunno what is.

My own regrets for not sticking around, but I was out of it. Left around 1 and slept for 14 hours, so I hesitate to imagine what a state I'd have been in had I stayed the whole time. It's been a rough week. ;)

It was cool to meet those of you who went! I'm glad we were able to get together and have some good times for a good cause.

Next time, let's hit a bar. ;)

{"commentId":178627,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"darkside"}

15 votes

#2 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":178722,"authorDomain":"farmer"}

oldfogey

Ditto on that! We all owe Corey a debt of gratitude for the extensive amount of effort he has put into this project. Corey, if you are ever in Coshocton, call me. I will buy your lunch or dinner. Thanks. Damned spellcheck doesn't know much, says I misspelled Coshocton.

{"commentId":178722,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"farmer"}

8 votes

#2.1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":178835,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

I just remember it like Tommy Thompson says on WTNS: Co-shoc-ton.

The man is all about his phonetics, despite the fact that no one says it like that, haha.

{"commentId":178835,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

#2.2 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":178847,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Next time, let's hit a bar. ;)

I second that. There totally needs to be a charity that does a "Drink for Life" event. Ohio State is the perfect place to have such a thing.

Corey, if you are ever in Coshocton, call me.

You're from Coshocton? Cool! I don't think I've ever seen the stars clearer than I did when I was in that neck of the woods.

{"commentId":178847,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":179310,"authorDomain":"tj"}

TopJedi

Very well done Corey!! Big kudos to all the participants who did the lion's share at the event! Very cool.

{"commentId":179310,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"tj"}

1 vote

#2.4 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:06 AM EDT

{"commentId":178643,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

It looks like the shirt came out really nicely!

Great job on everything, I certainly wish I could have been there to provide more than a design and a small donation as it looks like the event was a lot of fun on top of being for a great cause.

{"commentId":178643,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"brianford"}

9 votes

#3 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":178657,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Wow, I didn't know that many of you were actually getting together in person. This is Newsvine history in the making. Years from now Lufbery will be writing a 'This Day in History' about the first time Newsviners got together in person and made something cool happen.

{"commentId":178657,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"tang"}

13 votes

#4 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":178658,"authorDomain":"pody"}

Dom Pody

I feel bad the Philly event didn't work out- I can to the event anyway, and donated there, but no Newsvine team... looks like you guys had a good time for a good cause. Good job!

{"commentId":178658,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"pody"}

11 votes

#5 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":178678,"authorDomain":"kevinb66"}

kevinb66

Fantastic effort! I'm happy that you surpassed your donation expectations and that people that have such different views on so many things can put those aside to try to help others.

I second Mykola's nomination, if that makes a difference, because Corey put his money and his person on the line for a very worthy cause. If that's not a exceptional moment of greatness for Newsvine and its members I don't know what else is.

{"commentId":178678,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"kevinb66"}

7 votes

#6 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":178779,"authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

digitalscoots

I think I tapped out at 90 laps, ~22.5 miles. But I would walk another 90 if it would guarantee that I never see that Jazzercise routine again.

It was funny to see the reaction from relay officials to a bunch of college age people (or a little more for some of us) raising over $2k, all online. And at least one more donation is coming in via snail mail and should push us over $2200 for the total in the next few days.

{"commentId":178779,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

4 votes

#7 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":178844,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

That Jazzercise dude freaked the hell out of me. I know those cancer organizers mean well and all, but come on, hiring a dude that's on positive energy from shooting a bunch of crystal meth: that's just inappropriate. =P

{"commentId":178844,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

#7.1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":178788,"authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

digitalscoots

Oh yeah, if I don't get another branch for the 'donation' that'll be on it's way to Newsvine HQ, then it's just a travesty. I won that poker card per lap game fair and square, except for the fact that I cheated. Karma's valuable lesson is now Newsvine HQ's 'gain'. :)

{"commentId":178788,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

2 votes

#8 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":178797,"authorDomain":"pody"}

Dom Pody

I'm left wondering what it might've been- Philly didn't have such a thing :/

{"commentId":178797,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"pody"}

2 votes

#8.1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":178812,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

Oh man... it's good. It's like.... 'your grandmother' good. I'll let Calvin tell you when he gets it later ;) I'd hate to spoil such an awesome classy gift.

{"commentId":178812,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

3 votes

#8.2 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":178868,"authorDomain":"greta"}

greta

calvin will have to post a picture once they've installed it where it can be prominently displayed, as i'm sure they will, at newsvine headquarters.

{"commentId":178868,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"greta"}

1 vote

#8.3 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":178884,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

I just hope they dont have to get an independent contractor to install it.

{"commentId":178884,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

2 votes

#8.4 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:09 AM EDT

{"commentId":178804,"authorDomain":"greta"}

greta

i only walked 50 laps (12.5 miles), but i removed the earbud from digitalscoots' ear canal without doing any permanent damage, so that's gotta be worth something ;)

top jedi, thanks for vinepower suggestion, and for donating the t-shirts. corey, thanks for selecting a meaningful event and making it happen. brian ford, thanks for doing the t-shirt design.
everyone else, thanks for donating.

in case receiving the Random Act of Vineness branch requires a certain number of nominations, i also nominate corey.

{"commentId":178804,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"greta"}

9 votes

#9 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":178810,"authorDomain":"gregh"}

Greg Hoke

Seeing the cancer survivors reminded me of the seriousness of the event. They were good sports to put themselves out there as proof of hope.

Go Corey! Thanks for getting us off our cans. It's probably part of Organizing 101, but Corey attempted to personally deliver T-shirts to our homes. I was touched.

I enjoyed meeting my fellow co-conspiracists, I mean, newsviners. Our conversation was spiced with much shorthand because we knew a little about each other. I wondered aloud why I recognized Myk's voice. He tactfully reminded me of his celebrity status from the vineseeders podcast. Doh!

I didn't have to embarrass myself on the ukulele because a band played non-stop for the two hours I stayed. I'm glad to hear Shelley Ford returned after watching her grandma. It's so nice to see the people behind the comments and articles. These are really good, caring people, getting smarter all the time.

{"commentId":178810,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"gregh"}

6 votes

#10 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":178822,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

Man I was clamoring for that Uke too, Greg!

In all seriousness - I second Greg's thoughts on the cancer survivors - I saw many of them out there as long as everyone else... their dedication was just amazing.

And also in all seriousness - Greg has the hardest house to find on the East side of Columbus EVER.

{"commentId":178822,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

5 votes

#10.1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":178829,"authorDomain":"georgei"}

George I.

Wow you guys are really cool. This is a very noble event.

{"commentId":178829,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"georgei"}

3 votes

#11 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":178837,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Sounds like a great time, sorry again that I had to be out of town this weekend. I would have liked to have been there. I will 4th Corey's nomination for the 6th branch, and if he gets it I also think the newsvine blog should publish an article featuring him as the first person to earn it and what he did. Very great stuff.

{"commentId":178837,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

2 votes

#12 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":178865,"authorDomain":"Jynne"}

Jynne

Corey - thanks for all the work that you put into this event. I wish I could have been there for some actual laps, but that wasn't possible this time around.

I appreciate all the hard work that everyone did to make this event successful. It was nice being able to meet a few local newsviners .... and kind of weird seeing a professor of mine outside of the classroom.

: )

{"commentId":178865,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"Jynne"}

2 votes

#13 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":178866,"authorDomain":"greta"}

greta

thanks for the food and supplies!!!

{"commentId":178866,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"greta"}

3 votes

#13.1 - Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":178881,"authorDomain":"Jynne"}

Jynne

You are more than welcome. Sounds like I should have left you some tweezers for the earbud removal. That act of kindness is definitely worth something! : )

{"commentId":178881,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"Jynne"}

3 votes

#13.2 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:07 AM EDT

{"commentId":178962,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey SpringDeleted

{"commentId":178963,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

Yes, thank you so so so much for all the goodies you brought us!!!

You have no idea how much difference a bag of Twizzlers or Sour Patch's can make at 4am when you need an energy boost!

{"commentId":178963,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"spring"}

4 votes

#13.4 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":179137,"authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

digitalscoots

Yes, the food was very much appreciated! Sorry that we were a little out of it when you stopped by, but I think that was during our ill-fated attempt at winning 5 lap scrabble.

{"commentId":179137,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

2 votes

#13.5 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":179030,"authorDomain":"ansab"}

Ansab

We need to do something like this here in Seattle as well.

{"commentId":179030,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"ansab"}

4 votes

#14 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":179317,"authorDomain":"tj"}

TopJedi

Seattle may be the next location for a July event. The Seattle Childrens Home pulled in a lot of votes on the initial event selection post. We just need to put it to a vote and get a coordinator on the ground as organized as Corey to pull of our next charity success!!

{"commentId":179317,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"tj"}

1 vote

#14.1 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:10 AM EDT

{"commentId":179035,"authorDomain":"irma"}

Irma

While Ohio was just a little too far out of my way (as is Seattle Ansab), it was a marvelous idea to get away from your computer screens and do something for a good cause (and I think it must have been nice seeing some people in person as well), an exemplary effort . I think we can't only learn from the world's biggest philanthropist (article by Dom Pody) but from you guys as well.

{"commentId":179035,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"irma"}

2 votes

#15 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":179342,"authorDomain":"kgosser"}

Kris Gosser

Cool stuff, guys!

{"commentId":179342,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"kgosser"}

#16 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:29 AM EDT

{"commentId":179460,"authorDomain":"tj"}

TopJedi

Ok, it's about time we consider our next event to spread some more good news.

{"commentId":179460,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"tj"}

#17 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":179955,"authorDomain":"binro"}

Binro

Yay! Good going Team! Sounds like you had a lot of fun and for a good cause. I'm glad I could help out, even a little.

{"commentId":179955,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"binro"}

#18 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":180376,"authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

digitalscoots

More pictures for the pictures lovers. Team Newsvine Relay for Life charity pictures can be found here.

Disclaimer: certain pictures may be unsuitable for children and those who are morally or gastro-intestinally opposed to belly dancers.

{"commentId":180376,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"digitalscoots"}

2 votes

#19 - Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":180866,"authorDomain":"farmer"}

oldfogey

Thanks for the pictures. I should have been there in person but this helps. BTW, can you get me the phone number of the middle one? (You know what I mean.) She is just my ideal. Thanks for being here, digitalscoots.

{"commentId":180866,"threadId":"13189","contentId":"268103","authorDomain":"farmer"}

#19.1 - Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:51 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"13189","isPrivate":false}

COREY SPRING

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Relay Recap

$2,160.37

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