Community Corner

Morton Gingerwood Mini Relay for Life Honors Memory of Danny Host

Danny Host's former classmates pooled their pocket change, resources and spirits for the school's annual mini Relay for Life activities.

Morton Gingerwood School hosted a mini Relay For Life on Friday, May 27, in memory of their , who lost his battle to cancer in February. 

The school held a variety of events throughout the week leading up to the Mini Relay, including a , hand-made health food display, and discussions on skin care and cancer prevention.

Morton Gingerwood staff created a committee to work on their first mini Relay For Life Event. The Committee was a mixture of staff members and parent volunteers. 

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Their efforts were a success—with more than $2,000 raised for the American Cancer Society, in honor of Danny.

During the month of May children were encouraged to bring in loose changes, any amount, and their name would be added to a Relay foot that would then be displayed throughout the school. By May 27, the hallways were covered with proud Relay footprints. The classrooms who raised the most money receive an extra recess this week, and the winning classrooms were: Room 106 in the first grade and room 104 in the second.

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The committee had originally planned the mini-relay and its events to take place outside, but due to weather conditions they were relocated to various classrooms and the gym. The day started with a neighborhood parade through all the classrooms. Each classroom made a room sign that had the classroom number and the hand prints of those in the classroom. Parents and other family members were invited to join their child during the neighborhood parade, and many attended, adding to the event's significance

Afterwards, coloring contest winners were announced at a small assembly. Students then made the rounds through a variety of activities like jump-roping, Bozo buckets, freeze dance, exercise room, bean bag toss, face painting, health snacks, and more.  

Friends and teachers said that Danny's classmates would have made him proud.


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