Luminaries still available to honor loved ones

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
June 10, 2004
Time is running out to purchase luminaries for Friday's Relay for Life.
Each $10 luminary benefits the American Cancer Society. Candles are lit in recognition of cancer survivors, people who are currently battling the disease and loved ones who died.
The candles are lit inside paper bags that have the names of the people honored written on them. The bags illuminate the track at Meridian High School's Ray Stadium during the Relay for Life event Friday night.
The names of all those to be remembered with luminaries purchased today will be read aloud Friday night at Ray Stadium.
Diane Griffin, Lauderdale County luminary chairperson for nine years, said luminaries can be purchased for $10 each until 5 p.m. today at her business, Edna's Supermart Package Store, 4820 Poplar Springs Drive. They also can be bought at Ray Stadium from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. today.
Luminaries also can be purchased until 9 p.m. Friday at Ray Stadium. Griffin said those names will not be read aloud at the Relay for Life event, but will be placed on bags circling the track.
Griffin said luminaries raise about $15,000-$17,000 each year. The money is used by the American Cancer Society for cancer research, public education and awareness campaigns and services for cancer patients.