GLOVERSVILLE - The chain links they are selling may be made of paper, but Gloversville High School students are hoping the sales for this year's Relay for Life will prove a strong show of support for cancer research.
Students in the high school marketing class are selling the paper chain links in different colors to represent different forms of cancer.
The 15th annual Relay for Life of Fulton and Montgomery counties will take place June 1.
Article Photos
Gloversville High School students make a human Chain of Hope in the school’s gymnasium last week. In the center, from left, are Michael McCabe, manager at Castiglione Gem Jewelers, Principal Rich DeMallie, Lou Castiglione and Sandy Sacerio.
The Leader-Herald/Bill Trojan
From 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, the students will sell the chain links at a Chain of Hope reception outside Castiglione Gem Jewelers at 25 N. Main St.
A portion of Church Street outside the store will be closed off for the outdoor reception, which is free to attend.
GHS Business teacher Tammy McCue said the students began planning the event six months ago.
"We went into Castiglione's one day to talk to them about working with the kids at the high school with some type of project," McCue said.
The store, which has been downtown for 83 years, is "deeply involved in the community, and we support the community," said Castiglione Gem Jewelers Manager Michael McCabe.
"We're very confident we're going to have a great turnout. The community supports us as well as we support them," McCabe said.
Sandy Sacerio, who works as the principal's secretary at GHS, said she was looking for a unique way to raise money for Relay for Life last year and came up with the idea of selling paper chain links for $1.
"You could write anything you want on the links," which will be displayed as a chain at Relay for Life," Sacerio said.
"Most everybody has $1," Sacerio said. She raised $500 selling the links herself last year.
Sacerio was a co-chairwoman of the Relay for Life committee last year.
GHS seniors Samantha Bell and Elizabeth Tagliatela said the class has a goal of raising $1,000 with all proceeds donated to the Relay for Life Foundation for research.
"A lot of people have been affected by different forms of cancer," Bell said, whether it be a relative or themselves.
McCue said the students will sell the chain links during lunch next week. Writing and coloring utensils will be available at the reception Friday for people to decorate their links.
"The whole idea is to help remember individuals with a link," McCue said.
The district is helping with the event by providing a tent and other items. The GHS Jazz Band will perform.
Raffle prizes were donated by the following businesses: Buck's Pizza, Sticks-n-Stones, Pizza Joint, Advanced Carpet Cleaning, Leather Rose, Michele Blake, Napa Auto Parts, Fulton Street Deli, Walmart, Price Chopper, Cutting Crew, Asian Delight, Downtowner Restaurant and Cal's Printing.
The Gloversville Mentor Program, City Court Judge John Clo, who is seeking election, and City Court judge candidate Traci DiMezza also are helping with the event.
Amanda Whistle can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com