Central employees ready to participate in Relay For Life

Getting involved in community events has always been a priority with employees of Central Bank. Among the many events employees will participate in over the course of the year, the summer always brings a big one: Relay for Life.

 The Relay for Life is an event put on by The American Cancer Society. It’s described best by its own website as a “life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.”

 August 6th will mark the 16th year for the Stillwater Relay for Life and Central Bank has had a team participate every year. Lanae Maslowski, who works out of Central’s Stillwater office, is part of Central’s team as well as one of three Financial Coordinators for the event. She said the Relay for Life is a great family event for everyone.

 “We see a lot of families, young and old, and it is something really special,” she said. “It’s one of those things that you have to see to appreciate.”

 Maslowski said the Central Bank team “The Walk-Ons” consists of 15 team members, most of which are bank employees. She said each team member is responsible to raise at least $100, and at the event at least one team member has to be on the track walking at all times during the 24 hour relay.

 The track itself is outlined with 7-8,000 luminaries, filled with sand and a candle on top. At 10 p.m., they are lit, a sight Masloswki describes as “beautiful.” White and brown bags mark those who have died and those who are survivors.

 Central employees use the Relay for Life to celebrate survivors and remember the lives of those who were lost to cancer. Maslowski said the team was originally started in honor of a co-worker who passed away. Central’s Mary Wolf said the event is very emotional but also rewarding.

 “(It’s rewarding) knowing we are working hard to find a cure,” Wolf said. “We have several people from the bank who have fought for their lives already. We like to show our support to them and everyone who has dealt with cancer. We want to find a cure so our kids and their kids won’t have to worry about it.”

 Maslowski said they keep the group going because they’ve all been touched by cancer in some way. She also said it is good community service for her and her co-workers to be there supporting not only the event and community, but also the individuals with cancer.

 “When you see people fighting cancer, it is great to be there to cheer them on and let them know you are there for them,” she said.

 Employees from the St. Michael Central Bank branch are participating in the St. Michael/Albertville (“The Happy Feet”) Relay for Life on August 13^th as well. If anyone would like to donate to the Stillwater or St. Michael teams, you can contact those branches.

(Left to right) Back Row: Lynne Funk, Tammy Abrahmason, Lanae Maslowski  Middle Row: Lauri Johnson, Jack Alberg, Mary Wolf, Jackie Raboin  Front Row: Abby Abrahamson, Amanda Wolf, Melody Wendorf