Henry/Stark Relay for Life will honor two long-time volunteers, Sharon Deahl and Jane Tornquist, during the event this year. Both women just recently passed away.

As sponsorship chair, Deahl was instrumental in obtaining event sponsorship, said Nichelle Morey, committee chair.

“There will be a very large void this year without them,” she said.

Due to the lack of volunteers and teams, Morey said the event will be smaller than previous years.

“We do our best to still hold it because we know how important this event is to our survivors,” said Morey.

The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Windmont Park from 6 to 10 pm. A silent auction will be held from 4 to 8 pm, and the opening ceremony will start at 6 pm with the presentation of the Flag. The Survivors Lap will begin at 6:30 pm and a cake reception will follow. Some teams will be selling food during the event.

“We are going to start lighting the luminaries at 7 pm, but the luminaria ceremony won’t start until 9 pm,” Morey said.

The group is in need of sponsorship donations, along with luminary sales.

“This year we are very low on sponsors due to the fact that Sharon was our sponsorship chair and since her passing, we have not had a chance to find a replacement,” Morey said.

Luminary forms can be found at the State Bank of Toulon branches, Country Morning Coffee, Hair Trends, Breedlove Sporting Goods, Walmart, Happy Joes, Dairy Queen, The Downtown Eatery & Baker, Cerno’s, Peoples National Bank, Subway, Arby’s, Walgreens, Save-A-Lot, and in Annawan, forms can be found at Paxton’s Corner Coop and the Purple Onion.

Survivors planning to attend should register online at www.relayforlife.org/henrystarkil. But Morey said all survivors are welcome to show up and participate if they aren’t able to register. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.