‘Spirit of 76’ relay team formed

PRINCETON — A group of Princeton High School graduates and their friends have formed the “Spirit of 76” Relay for Life team to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Team representative Lisa (Strunk) Gondolfi said the inspiration for the team has come from some of their classmates, members of the PHS graduating class of 1976, who have dealt with cancer. The team is sending out e-mails to former classmates to inform them of the upcoming fundraisers.

The “Spirit of 76” Relay for Life team has planned two events in July to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

On July 9, from 6 to 10 p.m., the team will host an evening at the Princeton Inn, located at 1516 N. Main St., Princeton. The team will provide free appetizers and accept donations for the Relay for Life, American Cancer Society.

On July 24, from 5 to 9 p.m., the Spirit of 76 team will host a wine-tasting at Fitzgerald’s Piano Lounge, 432 S. Main St., Princeton. Pianist Brian Benkse will provide the musical entertainment for the event. Homemade hors d’oeuvres  will also be provided. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased in advance from team members or at Fitzgerald’s. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the Spirit of 76 team may do so through the Relay for Life Web site at http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=15123&pg=entry and clicking on View Teams. All proceeds from fundraisers and donations go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Gondolfi said this is the first year for the Spirit of 76 Relay for Life team, but it won’t be the last. In addition to some classmates who have battled cancer, others in the team have lost parents or other family members to cancer.

“I’ve seen what cancer can do to people I love,” Gondolfi said. “Forming this Spirit of 76 team is a way we can contribute to the eradication of this disease. You feel so helpless when you watch someone you love go through cancer. This is a way for us to be proactive and to fight back and try to find a cure for cancer.”