Relay for Life returning to Plant City; Plant City kid finishes second at state Hoop Shoot competition; Gloria Bellamy celebrates 50 years of service at Community Care Center
Relay for Life returning to Plant City
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Plant City invites the community to join the movement to honor and remember loved ones and fight back for lifesaving change on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Strawberry Festival Grounds.
Relay For Life is a community of survivors, caregivers, local citizens, volunteers and participants and is the largest, most inspiring and supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet.
“We share a passion to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Event Lead Linda Herman said. “In 2023, over 1.9 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Thanks to that shared passion, the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society can’t be stopped, ensuring we are here for everyone who needs us.”
Relay For Life of Plant City’s theme for 2023 is “Curing Cancer Would Be Relay Sweet,” and begins with Opening Ceremonies at 6 p.m. with the Survivors and Caregivers taking the first lap, followed by a Survivor’s reception. To help plan for the reception and order the Survivor shirt, Survivors are asked to register for the event at www.relayforlife.org/plantcityfl.
The Luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. Come out join In the fun and help “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.”
If you want to be a sponsor for the event, please contact Tammy Schoonover at tammy.schoonover@cancer.org.
For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has brought together passionate supporters who embody the American Cancer Society’s mission. This volunteer-led experience unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to protect, detect, treat and survive cancer.
“It’s never been easier to raise money for Relay For Life and help fund the future. Every dollar raised fuels the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. The fight against cancer needs you now more than ever,” Herman said.
Plant City kid finishes second at state Hoop Shoot competition
After advancing through the Elks National Hoop Shoot’s state regional round at Lake Placid, Fla., Plant City’s Angel Ortiz made his way to the state round at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla this past weekend, finishing second in the state in the boys 12-13 division.
After moving on from the state regional round by coming away victorious in a shootout following a three-way tie, making 19 shots, Ortiz made 20 of his 25 shots in Umatilla.
Gloria Bellamy celebrates 50 years of service at Community Care Center
Fresh out of high school at 19 years old, Gloria started her career at Community Convalescent Center working with her mother as a housekeeper, along with her three sisters who were nursing assistants back in 1973. At that time, Community provided 11 beds to serve the community. During her 50 year career at Community, Gloria has worked as a housekeeper, activities assistant, and as a CNA. Gloria is the shining star of the facility, always with a smile on her face or her trademark “hey baby” that makes you feel at home every time she greets another staff member, Community said in a press release.
When you ask Gloria why she has dedicated her career to Community Care Center she says, “my mother worked here for 16 years as a housekeeper, my three sisters have worked here a combined 50 years as CNA’s and my brother two years as an orderly, this is where my family has worked, and this is home.”
Compassion, selflessness, and inspiration are three words to describe Gloria from the residents that she serves each and every day, Community said.
Compassion, “Gloria stood by me in my time of need and would not leave my side when I was very sick with COVID that tried to take me to heaven.” “She brought me my favorite snacks every time that she worked while I was in isolation, and I am very grateful for all that she has done for me.” “Gloria put the good in good morning for me during that time.”
Inspiration, “Gloria gives me the tough love when I needed it most which was important for me to get to my goals and I am in better health now because of her.”
Selflessness, “I have lived here at Community for 11 years and she will do anything for anyone at any time and me and my family are grateful to her.”
