Help us paint the town purple starting Saturday by supporting Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou. We are asking the local merchants, restaurants, churches and home owners to paint the Miss-Lou purple.

Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou will be May 7 on the Vidalia Riverfront next to Promise Hospital, with nearly 50 teams and thousands of participants.

We are selling purple bows for $5. The bows have been hanging in Vidalia near the bird feeders all year, and can be bought at Smith Printing in Vidalia or from any Relay team with all proceeds going to Relay.

In these final days leading up to Relay, we will work to generate new support for the American Cancer Society, as well as raise awareness and enthusiasm for the Miss-Lou Relay.

We hope to involve hundreds more people in the fight against cancer. Your involvement with American Cancer Society is a positive promotional opportunity for your business, positioning you as a concerned citizen actively supporting the battle against cancer.

For those of you who will help us paint the town purple here are some ideas:

-Purple place mats or napkins

-Purple desserts or beverages

-Purple flowers or purple ribbons

-Purple lights

-Purple/Relay themed window display

-Purple name tags or ribbons for your staff

-A Relay message on your marquee or sign

-Asking your staff to wear purple

-Placing a purple ribbon on your mailbox

-Hanging a purple wreath on your door

And finally, we hope you will join us on May 7 on the Vidalia Riverfront next to Promise Hospital for Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou!

Come out for our survivors reception hosted by Dr. Jack Rodriguez, which will start at 5:15 p.m.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year something new will be a banner for the survivors to paint their handprint in purple washable paint on a survivor banner, which will be located next to the wall of honorees and in memoriam.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the opening prayer by Dusty Carson of First Baptist Church. Cliff Merritt of Delta Bank will be our celebrate speaker while Kejuane Bates from Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Vidalia will be singing the National Anthem.

Pam Higgins will be doing sign language to the tune of Wind Beneath My Wings, Freddie Voss with the Boy Scouts will lead our Pledge of Allegiance and the ROTC will lead our survivors in their walk.

The luminary service will start at 9 p.m. with the introduction of the Hush Angels (each team will have a child dressed as an angel who will go around the track before the service and ask everyone to please be quiet during the luminary service).

Come join us for the entire evening. There will be live music, line dancing, children’s activities, games, food, food and more food for the entire family.

For more information, please contact me at 318-336-9629.

Bridgid Martin is the chairman of the Miss-Lou Relay for Life.