In light of Relay for Life no longer being held in Taylor, a local organization and church continue the event’s tradition and spirit.
Luminaries on the Square will be held Friday, April 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Taylor’s Heritage Square, 400 N. Main St. Hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church and the New Century Club, the event is to honor and remember those who have lost their battle with cancer, cancer survivors and caregivers.
According to organizers, the event is to light Heritage Square with luminaries to honor cancer survivors and their families. It is also an opportunity to recognize those who lost their fight to cancer. Luminaria bags are available for a $5 donation. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
In the past, Relay for Life was an annual event in Taylor before restructuring and becoming a county-wide event. At that time, it was no longer held locally.
In 2022, the New Century Club and Immanuel Lutheran Church collaborated to introduce Luminaries on the Square. The club has raised money for the American Cancer Society since the 1950s, and the fundraising stopped when Relay for Life left Taylor.
Organizers said Luminaries on the Square is not an attempt to restart Relay for Life, but to instead host a one-night local event to fight cancer.
When Relay for Life was active in Taylor, local business owners Brad and Belinda Moss became involved because of their son who passed away from cancer at 3 years old.
Brad Moss said they had medical bills that were covered by insurance, and they received donations from community members. He said there was money left over, which they felt belonged to the community.
“We put it in a fund that builds interest, and we give Relay for Life a donation out of that every year,” he said. “We use that and give a gift in honor of Chad, our son, every year.”
The fund began in 1996 and continues today. Although Relay for Life is not in Taylor, the donation still goes to the American Cancer Society.
Local organizers went to the married couple and asked for a donation, and Brad Moss offered a storage unit for the organizers to store supplies. Over the course of about 15 years, the cost of the storage is over $16,000.
“I don’t track that,” Moss said. “We didn’t think about that. We’re asked for help, and we try to give a helping hand ... it’s just something feel led to do and were taught to do by my parents, and we continue to do that.”
As second-generation store owners, Moss said when his family moved to Taylor, they got involved with organizations and gave back to the community. He said the lesson of helping others in need was passed on from generation to generation, and he wants to continue that family legacy.
“We always tried to help,” he said. “We feel like we’re a part of this community and we wouldn’t be here if people didn’t shop with us. We turned around and in-kind give some of that back to the community.”
Belinda Moss said the couple was more involved during the larger Relay for Life event at the track, which featured luminaries around the track. They are not as involved with Luminaries on the Square, but continue their support of local events.
“We’ve been happy to sponsor what we can, and thankful for the community members that get together and do that type of thing here in Taylor,” Brad Moss said.
Luminaries on the Square will feature live music and activities for attendees. Like previous years, luminaries will be lined up along the sidewalk in the park, and candles will be lit for a special ceremony.
As a part of the ceremony, the longest living survivor will then lead a walk around the path where the luminaries are set up.
Luminaries on the Square is open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit in the park.
