METHUEN — Organizers of the Methuen and Greater Lawrence 2009 Relay for Life are holding a kickoff party Feb. 23, at Methuen High School, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in the dining hall.
The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.
Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.
The point is to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and the strength of survivors, and to fight back by raising money to help end the disease.
Methuen High seniors Madison Aleksa and Scott Yim are planning Methuen's Relay for Life for May 30 at the Methuen High track. As of last week, they had five teams signed up and had raised¬ $2,625, according to their Web site, www.relayforlife.org/methuengtrlawrencema.
The public is invited to attend.
Put on your poker face for charity
LAWRENCE — The St. Alfio Building Fund will host a Texas Hold 'em Tournament on March 19, at the Roxy at 381 Essex St., from 7 to 11 p.m.
There is a $100 buy-in to play, with a $50 rebuy.
First prize is $1,500 to be paid in American Express gift cards, with lesser prizes being awarded to second through eighth place finishers.
There will be complimentary food, a silent auction and the NCAA basketball tournament will be shown on TV during the event. Parking is free, and the event is open to everyone. There is a $20 cover charge for spectators.
For more information, call Jake Bosse at 617-913-3469.
College has a speaker for everything
HAVERHILL — The Northern Essex Community College speakers bureau offers more than 20 faculty members and administrators available to speak to nonprofit groups and organizations on a variety of topics.
The topics include business and the workplace, communications, deaf culture, education, human services, health, science and travel, social issues, technology, theater, music, art and literature.
More information is available by calling 978-556-3862 or visit speakersbureau@necc.mass.edu.
Health care expert to speak at chamber event
METHUEN — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts James Roosevelt, president and CEO of Tufts Health Care on Friday.
Roosevelt will speak on "The Cost of Health Care," an important question facing businesses in 2009.
The breakfast meeting, sponsored by Lawrence General Hospital, will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Jackson's Riverside Restaurant, 478 Lowell St.
Cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
To register, call the chamber at 978-686-0900.
Breakfast aids child abuse prevention
ANDOVER — The Michael B. Christensen Family Support Center, in partnership with the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, will host the 11th annual Child Abuse Prevention Month Kick-Off Breakfast on April 3.
The event will be at the Wyndham Andover hotel, 123 Old River Road.
The groups are looking to raise awareness and money for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Tickets are $20 and reservations must be made by March 20 by calling Susan Mitchell, director of GLCAC, at 978-681-4985, ext. 265.
Girl Scouts win limo ride, dinner and dance
NORTH ANDOVER — Girl Scout Troop 60573 was treated like royalty recently for helping to bring a bit of sunshine to a cold, minus-15 degree night in January.
The North Andover School Enrichment Council held a Knights Lights drive and asked all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to sell luminaria kits (decorated bags with candles) to support after-school programs. The top seller would receive a prize.
The Girl Scouts, all sixth-graders, pooled their money and bought 168 of the kits, which they arranged on the grounds of Stevens Memorial Library to create a beach scene complete with paper bag palm trees and sunshine on Jan. 25.
In a show of support, Brownie Troop 256, made up of third-graders, sold hot chocolate to warm visitors attending the display. Around town children and groups had displays of their own.
The troop's efforts were rewarded with a dinner and a limousine ride, provided by Burtons Grill in North Andover and Black Tie Limousine of Haverhill.
Later, the girls attended a middle-school dance at the Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center, provided by North Andover Youth Services.
