Twenty Fourth Annual Spring Fling Raises Over $65,000 for the American Cancer Society’ Relay For Life – Flower Children Have Raised over $1.6M To Date For ACS

The “Flower Children” team of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay For Life hosted its twenty fourth annual Spring Fling on April 18. Over 350 people attended the event held at the American Legion Hall – Post #174 in Palmyra. The night’s activities included dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions as well as a chance for those in attendance to help celebrate 24 years of Spring Fling.
Due to the overwhelming generosity once again of the Palmyra, Hannibal, Quincy
and surrounding communities through donations and sponsorship of the Spring Fling activities, the support of those attending, and the hard work of the team members and
volunteers, the event raised over $65,000 for the American Cancer Society. To date, The
Flower Children have raised over $1.6 million for ACS. Special thanks go out from
The Flower Children to all that make this event a fun-filled and rewarding evening each
and every year.
H.A.T.S. Restaurant of Palmyra catered the dinner, and George Keller once again conducted the live auction with the help of a special guest auctioneer, John Yancey. It was an evening filled with a festive atmosphere of giving and fun with games, prizes, and
chance to support Relay For Life and those affected by cancer.
The theme for the night was “Superheroes – Unleash Your Hero!” as The Flower Children teamed up once again with Blessing Health System to encourage everyone to get regularly scheduled cancer screenings.
Those in attendance who have been getting their screenings were encouraged to enter in
a raffle sponsored by Blessing Health System to win one of five $100 cash prizes. Games and raffles throughout the night added fun and winnings for those in attendance.
Local and regional merchants along with several individuals donated over 250 items for both the live and silent auctions.
Items ranged from great tickets to sporting events such as NASCAR, Chiefs, Cardinals, Royals, and MU Tigers football to certificates for hotel packages and theater shows. Bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle (Pappy’s) & Weller Single Barrel bourbon donated by Niemann Foods/County Market were just a few more of the auction items. The auction also included household necessities, gift certificates for meals and services, auto care products, as well as furniture and hand-crafted items and unique, one-of-a-kind wood-working creations. There was something available for everyone!!
An unique feature at this year’s Spring Fling was the chance to win a natural 1/3 carat diamond pendant surrounded by 14 brilliant stones on a 18 ½” white gold 14KT cable chain valued at over $1,495 which was donated once again by Donna Heiser and Crescent Jewelry Company of Hannibal. Throughout the evening, individuals could purchase a raffle cup and place their name in the drawing. Those raffle cups could be filled with “special drinks” donated by El Nopal Mexican Restaurant.
During the social hour and dinner, a silent auction was held featuring several items donated by various businesses and individuals. The silent auction groupings offered attendees 30+ different chances to purchase quality merchandise and services from numerous donating organizations and individuals. Those participating in the silent auction had a lot of fun upping the high bid on the items after seeing their previous
bid being outdone.
Vestis Laundry of Quincy provided the linens for the tables. “Spring Fling” sponsors also
included the American Cancer Society; Lewis & Marion County Cattlemen and Ken
Disselhorst; A & S Printing Service (Palmyra & Monroe City): Exchange Bank of NE Missouri, HOMEBANK, Mercantile Bank, Palmyra Spectator, Palmyra Booster Club, all of Palmyra; Knapheide Manufacturing, Popp’n on Maine, Refreshment Services Pepsi, GameMasters and Muddy River News, all of Quincy; and Iva’s Printing, The Golden
Ruler – The Business Centre, and Nauser Beverage Company, both of Hannibal. The
contributions of all of these sponsors and volunteers helped to make the night a huge
success.
If you were unable to attend Spring Fling and would like to make a contribution to
The Flower Children and the ACS, please contact Mark Bross at 573-769-2365 or
log-on the internet to www.relayforlife.org/marioncomo and click the “Donate” icon on
the page. Enter “The Flower Children” in the “Search by participant or team” box, click
search, click the link for “Team: The Flower Children” (Palmyra, MO), and follow the
instructions to complete your donation. The Flower Children thank you in advance for your support!! Together, we will end cancer as we know it, for everyone.