The New Century Club will host Luminaries on the Square Friday, April 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Square in downtown Taylor.
“This event is to celebrate with survivors and caregivers. And, to encourage those that are still in the battle,” said Anne Wentrcek, club president. “To support those who have lost loved ones. We’ve all been affected.”
During the event, Heritage Square will be lined with luminaries, which are bags with lights inside to represent the fight against cancer. Live entertainment will include singer Major Smith from Austin, The First Baptist Church (Robinson Street) choir and music by John Youngblood.
The luminaria service will be a walk around Heritage Square led by survivors as a remembrance of those who lost their cancer battle.
The New Century Club is not trying to restart Relay for Life with this event. “People seem very
“People seem very excited about this onenight celebration and the remembrance of it,” said Mary Linda Hayes, a cancer survivor. “If that continues, that will be wonderful.”
The event is free to the community, including getting a luminaria. There will be boxes for anyone would like to drop a donation.
Survivors and caregivers will have an opportunity to speak at the event.
“This is a way of sharing and encouragement,” Wentrcek said. “Cancer doesn’t distinguish between cultures, your financial conditions. It attacks and it’s vicious. When Jerry (her husband) died, it was a blessing to me to have that support to grieve with. We’ve walked it together, and I can be a support to them.”
