BoroughWide
Light up for hope
Kudos to Joe Gillette of Relay for Life. The giving guy led volunteers from the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at MCU Park in a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Dec. 1, to support those in the community affected by cancer.
“Over 500 dedicated luminaria bags were lit on the steps at sundown to spell out ‘HOPE’ as part of the Relay’s Light up Brooklyn campaign.” he said. This event was not a fund-raiser, but rather part of a 10-day awareness event called Light Up Brooklyn.
“Luminaria bags are a big part of Relay and are used to honor the memory of those lost to cancer,” he explained. “People decorate and dedicate the bags for their loved ones and we light the bags at sunset as part of our luminaria ceremony.”
“For years,” he said, “I walked up and down those steps as an attorney and thought, ‘What an awesome spot for a luminaria ceremony.’ ”
“This year,” Joe added, “I knew this had to be the year that I made it happen. We had over 500 bags on the steps that night and made sure that everyone knew that hope lived in Brooklyn.”
The Relay for Life at MCU Park team was assisted by members of the Greater Girl Scouts of New York and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association in setting up and lighting the bags.
Relay for Life, MCU [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (800) 227–2345].
