Light the Night 2007

My wife and I spent much of last evening drawing on paper bags and clapping until our palms itched. It was Light the Night 2007 in Raleigh, and we were fortunate enough to lend a hand.

Maybe another time I will detail how we ended up volunteering with this event. It started last year with a speeding ticket, which resulted in a fine, adopting a rescue puppy, and a new appreciation for those who have been affected by blood cancers. My wife and I were glad to help out with Light the Night again this year, even though this year my participation was not required by a judge.

Last night, just like the year before, much of our volunteer time was spent drawing on paper bags and helping kids do the same. There is a local survivor, Nicholas, who started this project which we think is one of the greatest things. Kids of all ages color and write messages on these bags, and then Nicholas' organization fills the bags with all kinds of goodies (crayons, tooth brushes, treats, etc) and takes them to children in the hospital. Last year Nicholas received so many bags from Light the Night events that bags made it not to just children in our area, but in neighboring states. It was heartening to see so many children write messages of encouragement and draw pictures to bring smiles to the face of children afflicted with blood cancers. While some adults came by and tried to take bags to carry their personal stuff around, many children were coming up eager to lend a hand knowing the bags were for someone else. I was touched to see many of the children write prayers and messages of encouragement about God on their bags. I hope they don't lose that hope and spiritual trust as they grow older.

After the race started, my wife and I put the markers and bags away before heading to the finish line. As the walkers/runners began pouring in from the red-balloon lit 2-mile route, we clapped and cheered them on. Another volunteer, Rebecca, was there as well. I don't know Rebecca's story, but I surmise that she is a survivor or is currently undergoing treatment. She was there, in her wheelchair, ringing a cowbell in one hand and shaking a noisemaker in another. Until the last person crossed the finish line, Rebecca cheered each of them on with the same energy and excitement as the very first. I met Rebecca earlier in the night as she decorated a bag for the children. She was very excited and intentional as she drew a perfect sun with a smiling face looking down on butterflies and flowers. Some child is going to receive that bag and feel the love that Rebecca put into it, even without knowing Rebecca herself.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society had 1300 lit balloons for participants in this years walk, 400 more than the year before. Yet this year they ran out of balloons as many more people showed up to support such a worthy cause. There are two more walks scheduled for the region, one in Durham this week and one in Wilmington on the 20th. Last night's walk raised over $250,000 putting them well on the way to this years goal of $315,000.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night. Yes it was entirely too hot, and traffic/parking downtown always leaves something to desire... but I wouldn't change a thing. I was proud to give my time to the event and humbled by the boundless love and hope that was shared. I hope the bags we colored bring hope to the hearts of many children and smiles to their face... and maybe, if just for a brief moment, they can be a kid again and forget that they're battling such a terrible disease.