Downtown found a second spring Monday morning as hundreds of
purple ribbons appeared on trees and lamp posts.
Downtown found a second spring Monday morning as hundreds of purple ribbons appeared on trees and lamp posts.
The ribbons are part of the “Paint the Town Purple” campaign, an effort by Relay for Life volunteers to advertise their upcoming event that raises money for cancer research. The volunteers spent Sunday night draping purple ribbons along Gilroy’s major arteries, including on Monterey Street, Mantelli Drive and Wren Avenue.
The 24-hour walk, which will take place from 6 p.m. June 19 to 6 p.m. June 20, makes one of the volunteer event coordinator Mike Sanchez teary eyed just thinking about it.
Sanchez’s wife, Debbi – a fellow event coordinator – survived a bout with breast cancer six years ago. Events like Relay for Life reminds the couple that “we are not in it alone,” Sanchez said.
“Relay for Life calls these people survivors,” he said. “But they’re so much more than survivors. They’re like warriors and champions, heroes because of the fight they put up and the spirit that carries them through.”
With a goal to raise about $125,000 before the event, local Relay for Lifers are getting down to the wire. One of the last big fundraisers will be held Thursday at the Black Bear Diner on Leavesley Road. The wait staff will donate all their tips and a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds for the day will go toward the cause, Sanchez said.
Black Bear Diner fundraiser
All day June 4
Wait staff will donate all tips and a portion of the proceeds to Relay for Life
Relay for Life 24-hour walk
Opening ceremony 6 p.m. June 19
Luminary ceremony 9:30 p.m. June 19
Closing ceremony 5 p.m. June 20
Donate to Relay for Life
For a limited time, the Gilroy Dispatch will donate $20 for all new home subscribers and $10 for all home renewals when they you advantage of our special annual rate of $70.20. For more information, call 842-2327.
