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Community Corner

Dexter Goes Purple for Relay for Life

Local volunteers will tie purple ribbons around town to increase cancer awareness.

This year’s preparations have been under way for months. The relay is scheduled for May 14-15, and Dexter residents will have the opportunity to participate in the unofficial kickoff beginning Sunday when volunteers start painting the town purple.

More than 500 purple ribbons will be tied around trees and lampposts throughout town. Some lucky trees will also be adorned with small purple capes to help drive home this year’s theme, “Be a Relay for Life Superhero.” Several downtown businesses will decorate their sites with purple, and volunteers will string purple lights along the gazebo’s roof edge in .

On April 2o, relay organizers are asking everyone in Dexter to help paint the town purple by purchasing a purple "HOPE" T-shirt and wearing it proudly throughout the day. The shirts cost $10 each and may be obtained by contacting Juli Huddleston at huddlestonjuli@gmail.com. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life.

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In addition, will donate a portion of all food and drink sales April 20 to the relay. Residents may also help support the relay by enjoying some ice cream at the gazebo at 6 p.m.

Caroline Altomare, promotions chairwoman, said the purpose of painting the town purple is to help raise awareness about the Relay for Life.

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“In the past few years, I have learned many Dexter residents didn’t know there was a Relay for Life and that they thought it is for the teams only,” Altomare said.

“This is an open invitation for all of Dexter to come to the park on May 14 and listen to music, eat a little food, let the kids play and buy some items offered by the teams. Think of it as a 24-hour festival.”

For more information, visit relayforlife.org/dextermi.

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