POULSBO — With five months to go until the fifth annual North Kitsap Relay for Life, organizers are ready to kick-off the count-down to the American Cancer Society fund-raiser.

And this year, when they say kick-off, they mean kick-off.

The theme for this year’s 24-hour relay-style walk or run is “Champions for a Cure” and the committee behind the magic is planning a day of sports-related fun to start off the season. The North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Poulsbo Eagles Lodge.

The 2004 North Kitsap Relay is scheduled for July 16-17 at the North Kitsap High School track. Last year, the event garnered 23 teams and raised more than $85,000 for ACS research and cancer treatment programs in Washington State.

“Each year, we grow as the word gets out on how much fun Relay for Life can be,” commented North Kitsap Relay Chair JoAnn Williams on the event. “It brings the community together to have fun as well as helps find a cure for cancer. Last year we went over our goal by $5,000 thanks to the community. The Relay for Life, North Kitsap is your event.”

This year, the goal is 35 teams and $100,000 raised for the cause.

Though the North Kitsap Relay for Life takes place in Poulsbo, it draws teams from Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Suquamish, Scandia, Keyport, Kingston and all points in between. Anyone who lives or works in those areas is invited to attend the kick-off Saturday to learn more about taking part in the event. No RSVP is required.

The free event will include sports activities, door prizes and refreshments for young and old. Activities will include:

•A basketball hoop shoot featuring NKHS girls junior varsity girls basketball team members Miranda Ejde (22) and Shayla Urie (41), Poulsbo Jr. High varsity 9th grade boys basketball team member Cameron White and NKHS boys junior varsity basketball team members Kevin Masnayon (32) and Zack Arbogast (30)

•A soccer kick

•Mini golf course and putting demonstrations from a golf professional sponsored by Kitsap Physical Therapy

•Sports-themed beaded necklace assembly

•A cheer and dance demonstration from members of Poulsbo’s Trek Gymnastics

•A football toss

•Face painting

•Personalized baseball cards by the Kitsap News Group for a $4 donation to Relay

•Inspirational speakers and information about Relay for Life

The entirely-indoors event will also feature stadium-style food and door prizes like T-shirts and water bottles.

Sidebox:

North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off

2 p.m. Feb. 7

Poulsbo Eagles Lodge, 4230 NE Lincoln Road (look for the blinking light)By CARRINA STANTON

Staff Writer

POULSBO — With five months to go until the fifth annual North Kitsap Relay for Life, organizers are ready to kick-off the count-down to the American Cancer Society fund-raiser.

And this year, when they say kick-off, they mean kick-off.

The theme for this year’s 24-hour relay-style walk or run is “Champions for a Cure” and the committee behind the magic is planning a day of sports-related fun to start off the season. The North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Poulsbo Eagles Lodge.

The 2004 North Kitsap Relay is scheduled for July 16-17 at the North Kitsap High School track. Last year, the event garnered 23 teams and raised more than $85,000 for ACS research and cancer treatment programs in Washington State.

“Each year, we grow as the word gets out on how much fun Relay for Life can be,” commented North Kitsap Relay Chair JoAnn Williams on the event. “It brings the community together to have fun as well as helps find a cure for cancer. Last year we went over our goal by $5,000 thanks to the community. The Relay for Life, North Kitsap is your event.”

This year, the goal is 35 teams and $100,000 raised for the cause.

Though the North Kitsap Relay for Life takes place in Poulsbo, it draws teams from Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Suquamish, Scandia, Keyport, Kingston and all points in between. Anyone who lives or works in those areas is invited to attend the kick-off Saturday to learn more about taking part in the event. No RSVP is required.

The free event will include sports activities, door prizes and refreshments for young and old. Activities will include:

•A basketball hoop shoot featuring NKHS girls junior varsity girls basketball team members Miranda Ejde (22) and Shayla Urie (41), Poulsbo Jr. High varsity 9th grade boys basketball team member Cameron White and NKHS boys junior varsity basketball team members Kevin Masnayon (32) and Zack Arbogast (30)

•A soccer kick

•Mini golf course and putting demonstrations from a golf professional sponsored by Kitsap Physical Therapy

•Sports-themed beaded necklace assembly

•A cheer and dance demonstration from members of Poulsbo’s Trek Gymnastics

•A football toss

•Face painting

•Personalized baseball cards by the Kitsap News Group for a $4 donation to Relay

•Inspirational speakers and information about Relay for Life

The entirely-indoors event will also feature stadium-style food and door prizes like T-shirts and water bottles.

Sidebox:

North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off

2 p.m. Feb. 7

Poulsbo Eagles Lodge, 4230 NE Lincoln Road (look for the blinking light)By CARRINA STANTON

Staff Writer

POULSBO — With five months to go until the fifth annual North Kitsap Relay for Life, organizers are ready to kick-off the count-down to the American Cancer Society fund-raiser.

And this year, when they say kick-off, they mean kick-off.

The theme for this year’s 24-hour relay-style walk or run is “Champions for a Cure” and the committee behind the magic is planning a day of sports-related fun to start off the season. The North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Poulsbo Eagles Lodge.

The 2004 North Kitsap Relay is scheduled for July 16-17 at the North Kitsap High School track. Last year, the event garnered 23 teams and raised more than $85,000 for ACS research and cancer treatment programs in Washington State.

“Each year, we grow as the word gets out on how much fun Relay for Life can be,” commented North Kitsap Relay Chair JoAnn Williams on the event. “It brings the community together to have fun as well as helps find a cure for cancer. Last year we went over our goal by $5,000 thanks to the community. The Relay for Life, North Kitsap is your event.”

This year, the goal is 35 teams and $100,000 raised for the cause.

Though the North Kitsap Relay for Life takes place in Poulsbo, it draws teams from Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Suquamish, Scandia, Keyport, Kingston and all points in between. Anyone who lives or works in those areas is invited to attend the kick-off Saturday to learn more about taking part in the event. No RSVP is required.

The free event will include sports activities, door prizes and refreshments for young and old. Activities will include:

•A basketball hoop shoot featuring NKHS girls junior varsity girls basketball team members Miranda Ejde (22) and Shayla Urie (41), Poulsbo Jr. High varsity 9th grade boys basketball team member Cameron White and NKHS boys junior varsity basketball team members Kevin Masnayon (32) and Zack Arbogast (30)

•A soccer kick

•Mini golf course and putting demonstrations from a golf professional sponsored by Kitsap Physical Therapy

•Sports-themed beaded necklace assembly

•A cheer and dance demonstration from members of Poulsbo’s Trek Gymnastics

•A football toss

•Face painting

•Personalized baseball cards by the Kitsap News Group for a $4 donation to Relay

•Inspirational speakers and information about Relay for Life

The entirely-indoors event will also feature stadium-style food and door prizes like T-shirts and water bottles.

Sidebox:

North Kitsap Relay for Life Kick-Off

2 p.m. Feb. 7

Poulsbo Eagles Lodge, 4230 NE Lincoln Road (look for the blinking light)