Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Salem gets under way with teams of residents gathering in the Roanoke Valley.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or other gathering area, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

Relay For Life of Salem

June 14, 2013 at 7:00PM to June 15, 2013 at 10:00AM

Salem High School

Survivor Reception at 5:30PM in the Salem HS Cafeteria

www.SalemRelay.org

Relay is a unique opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease. Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that the Roanoke Valley is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, the community is joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Read more »

Helping the hungry in our region is as easy as leaving a letter in your mailbox.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is teaming up with Feeding America Southwest Virginia and Kroger to conduct Stamp Out Hunger, an annual food drive on Saturday, May 11, when letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations as they deliver mail along their postal routes.

It’s part of the nation’s largest single-day food drive, held in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Last year letter carriers in the region collected a record 410,427 pounds of food along their postal routes – placing Roanoke first in the nation in metropolitan areas of its size.

On May 11, letter carriers will collect donations that residents leave near their mailboxes as they deliver mail. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday.

“We’re honored to be able to help people in need by leading an effort that brings out the best in so many Americans,” said Chris Russo, president of the NALC Branch 524 in Roanoke. “Six days a week, letter carriers see first-hand the needs in the communities where we work throughout southwest Virginia, and we’re committed to helping meet those needs with the public’s help.”

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is more important than ever. Pantry shelves that filled up over the holidays often are bare by late spring. And, with most school meal programs suspended during summer months, thousands of children in our region must find alternate sources of nutrition.

“The timing of the food drive is important, and that’s why we selected the second Saturday in May,” added Roanoke Postmaster Ed Schaben. “This is a convenient way for everyone to give back and help those in need.” Read more »

Photo courtesy of Susan Birckhead

The Women’s Ministry at Fellowship Community Church held a Royal Baby Shower hosted by Patti Hogeboom. All the ladies brought baby shower gifts to donate to the Blue Ridge Women’s Center.

The ladies pictured are as follows:

Back row: Melinda Hartley, Susan Birckhead, Kathy Walker, Patti Hogeboom, Peg Ambrosio, Margaret Bishop, Karen Jones

Front row kneeling: Christy Jones, Peggy Funk

– Submitted by Susan Birckhead

– Submitted by Jenny McCormick

Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Land Conservancy

The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the fifth-annual Race for Open Space 5K Classic and 3K Run/Walk on June 1 at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County with special support from Coca-Cola. All proceeds benefit the land preservation efforts of the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy.

The 3K Run/Walk is perfect for children, families and active adults looking to spend some time outdoors. In addition to our 3K Run/Walk, we have a 5K Classic for more competitive runners or those wanting to try a longer distance race. Both courses are relatively flat, running along the picturesque Roanoke River Greenway and on shaded trails. The 5K Classic begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 3K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. Before and after the races, children’s activities will be provided by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District and the Western Virginia Water Authority. Refreshments after the race will include Homestead Creamery ice cream!

Special awards by Appalachian Ironworks will be given to the top three male and female finishers of both races. Awards will also be given to the top three male and female finishers of each age group in both races. Entry is free for children ages 13 and younger if registered by May 17 and $10 on race day. Entry is $25 for participants ages 14 and older if registered by May 17 and $30 on race day. Visit www.blueridgelandconservancy.org to download the registration form or to sign-up online. Pre-race packet pickup will be held from 5-7 p.m. on May 31 at Fleet Feet Sports in Roanoke. Registration and packet pickup will begin at 7:30 a.m. the day of the race. All participants ages 14 and older who pre-register will receive an organic cotton race T-shirt. Read more »

Roanoke Star is preparing for the 3rd Annual Stellar One Kimoyo Cup, taking place this coming weekend, Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th. The tournament will take place at two locations in the Roanoke Valley - Greenhill Park in Salem and Vinyard II Soccer Fields in Vinton.

This year the tournament will be the biggest in its 3 years, with 120 teams attending! Teams will be attending from West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Players will be looking forward to fun competitive games, and in between games, will be able to visit the DJ booth at Greenhill Park to participate in competitions with the chance to win prizes!

Along with providing a fun and competitive tournament experience for players and families, the Stellar One Kimoyo Cup serves another purpose. The mission of Kimoyo, LTD. is to create an appreciation within the Roanoke Valley of cultural diversity through education programs, and to establish international partnerships for self-empowerment that address health and economic issues.

Kimoyo, LTD. is a 501(c)3 corporation founded in 1998. It grew from a faith-based partnership formed between two Roanoke, Virginia, churches – St. John’s Episcopal Church and Kingdom Life Ministries, International.

Kimoyo, LTD. is financed through Kimoyo events; The Binaba Shop, which sells handmade goods from Africa on the Roanoke City Market; and by personal and corporate contributions.

For the past 3 years, players, teams, clubs and families have donated gently-used soccer equipment to children in Ghana. This weekend at the event, you will be able to bring your slightly used soccer equipment, and Kimoyo will make sure it is delivered to the children in Ghana. As you can see from the pictures, the Ghanaian children will certainly put your equipment to good use. You can view these pictures in a slideshow above, or in a gallery with captions here.

To learn more about Kimoyo Ltd, please visit www.kimoyo.org. To learn more about Roanoke Star Soccer Club or the Stellar One Kimoyo Cup, please contact Danny Beamer at dbeamer@roanokestar.com.

- Submitted by Martin Smith

On Saturday, April 27 from 3-5 pm, Blafjell Lodge 3-646, Sons of Norway will hold a free Family Day/Open House at College Lutheran Church (210 South College Ave, Salem). Come and learn about all things Norwegian: the geography, history, heritage, and culture of the Nordic countries. There will be demonstrations, displays, and activities for the children!

For more information, call President Sharon Rohrback at 774-0006.

- Submitted by Joanne Barfield

Members of the RHBC Youth Group with their 30-Hour Famine poster.

The Youth of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church (RHBC) will raise money for the hungry and then go hungry themselves by participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine on Friday, April 26.

World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine is a worldwide event designed to raise money and awareness for hunger throughout the world. RHBC youth are raising funds with the knowledge that every $30 they raise can help feed and care for a child for a month. The RHBC Youth have set a goal of $500 and are more than halfway there with a week left for donations. Anyone wishing to donate to their efforts can visit www.30hourfamine.org/donate/ and search for Rosalind Hills Baptist Church.

While taking part in the 30 Hour Famine, RHBC youth will participate in a “cardboard city” which involves sleeping in a cardboard box for the night. Additionally, they will take part in a survivor-like game, Tribe, which will require the youth to find food for their group in a scenario of having left their country, walked for months, and eaten very little.

“Our goal is to give our youth the experience of feeling real hunger, even if just for a day. To help them understand the challenges and needs of others throughout the world,” said John O’Neil, RHBC Minster to Youth.

Funds raised by 30 Hour Famine participants help feed and care for children in communities in need around the globe through World Vision. A portion of the funds raised assist families in need in the United States. Famine funds contribute to World Vision’s response in areas where famine, conflict, and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease.

Since 1992, 30 Hour Famine has raised close to $150 million, representing countless lives saved. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries, helping approximately 100 million people every year. For more information contact, John O’Neil, Minster to Youth, at 344-7888.

- Submitted by Jamie Smith

From left to right: Sarah Nichols, Maigen Burton, Josie Fraticelli, Marie Snyder, Carys DeRolf, Callie Bourne, Erin Wade, Zoe Prosser and Delaney Vance

Brownie Troop 1021 from First United Methodist Church toured the City of Salem Fire Station No. 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Nine girls toured the station to complete requirements for their First Aid Badge.

The girls learned what to do if there is a fire in their home, how to call 911 and the different kinds of equipment the firemen use in the jobs. They even got to witness the firemen going out on a call for a fire.

The Brownies had a great time learning and working on their badge, and would like to thank the gentlemen of Fire Station No. 1 for their time.

- Submitted by Melanie Burton

This past Saturday was the annual Clean Valley Day. Volunteers from the cities of Salem, Roanoke, Town of Vinton, and counties of Roanoke and Botetourt took part in cleaning up our communities. Clean Valley Day is a valley wide event that helps promote respect and dedication for our beautiful community. Last year’s efforts yielded in 70 teams and 1,400 volunteers contributing. There was around 34 tons of trash collected from the area surrounding the Greenway.

Several groups that volunteered to clean up the valley are associated closely with promoting the wildlife in the Roanoke River. One such organization is Trout Unlimited #308. John and Judy Loope were out early Saturday morning to do their part. “It’s something our group does every year, we have adopted this section of the river, in Green Hill Park”, John Loope said. His wife, Judy said that besides participating in Clean Valley Day the group also helps in other areas of stream restoration and aiding in keeping a healthy population of trout in the area. Rick Weiss stated that “we help in cleaning because it’s better for everyone”. He also mentioned that Trout Unlimited provides education for local schools with Trout in the Classroom. Where children help raise the trout and then release them back into the wild.

The Roanoke chapter of Float Fishermen of Virginia also was out cleaning their section of the Greenway. Ken Ingram, stated that “their group has been taking part of Clean Valley Day for as long as he can remember, easily fifteen years plus.” Tom Christenbury said, “When we started many years ago we would find sinks and tires. However through the years the amount of trash and litter has decreased.” The Float Fisherman chapter even spilt its group up into two separate areas so that they could cover more ground.

Besides organizations associated with the wildlife, the Rotary Club of Salem was also partaking in Clean Valley Day. Lynn Lautenschlager was on hand doing her part. “We are covering the area from the Salem Rotary Park to Colorado St.”, she stated. Clean Valley Day is an activity that Rotary participates in every year. Ronda and Tom Clark were also out cleaning the Greenway. Neither of them were part of an organization but instead they are a couple who live off of Riverside Dr. and wanted to join in. “We heard it was Clean Valley Day, and decided to do our part and help out” Ronda Clark said.

It’s due to these wonderful people taking time out of their Saturday, who are committed to our community that the Greenway and Roanoke River continue to be beautiful areas for all of our enjoyment.

– Photos and story by Katelyn Stackpole, special to So Salem