In lieu of gifts, 7-year-old birthday girl requests donations for Relay for Life

Partygoers had their faces painted with purple ribbons, a Cancer Society symbol.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Alison Rein's birthday wish wasn't so different from most.
The 7-year-old wanted money. The difference was, she wanted to give all of hers away.
"I want it all to go to Relay for Life," said Alison, as she poured lemonade for a guest.
Alison invited all of her friends to a birthday bash Saturday afternoon at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 S. Canfield-Niles Road. She instructed all her guests to bring donations to the American Cancer Society.
"I don't know how much we have received today, but we received $162 before the party even started," said Alison's mother, Linda. She noted that several local companies, including Giant Eagle and Burger King, made donations for the party.
The 7-year-old treated her 50 friends to cake, ice cream, soft drinks and face painting.
Purple ribbons were painted on all of the guests' faces for free.
"We have face painting and you can get purple glitter or purple, purple," Alison said, noting that purple is her favorite color.
Purple and white are the Relay for Life colors.
Linda Rein is the co-chair of the Austintown Relay for Life, which will be June 17 and 18.
"I would go even if my mom didn't go," Alison said.
Area relays
During the next two months, people from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties will participate in one of the 13 remaining ACS Relay for Life events in the tri-county area.
A relay was held in April at Youngstown State University. There were 30 teams, 85 cancer survivors and more than $47,000 was raised.
All of the Relay for Life events have 10 to 15-person teams. One or more members from each team walks, runs or jogs around a track throughout the entire event, which begins on a Friday evening at 6 and continues for 24 hours. Entertainment and various activities are scheduled during each relay.
"There is always lots of food and fun," Alison said.
Those interested in one of the Relay For Life events should call the local American Cancer Society at (330) 533-0546 or toll free at (888) ACS-OHIO. The American Cancer Society Web site is www.cancer.org.
sinkovich@vindy.com