One hundred sky lanterns honoring those affected by breast cancer will float across the city Thursday night as part of an event organized by The Greystone Restaurant to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
"The reason I put this together was that because to my knowledge, there was not an organized event like this in Schuylkill County recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month," Jerry Labooty, owner of The Greystone Restaurant, said. "Everyone in the county knows someone whose life was affected by breast cancer."
The event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy.
The lanterns, which are about 3 feet tall by 2 feet long, can be purchased in honor or memory of a loved one affected by breast cancer for $15. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a Texas-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to education and research about the causes, treatment and a cure for breast cancer.
"I would like to build this into a yearly event," Labooty said. "I'm very proud of the fact that we were able to put this together in a short amount of time."
Registration for the event begins at 6 p.m. at The Greystone Restaurant, 315 N. Centre St. Preregistration is encouraged as there are only 100 lanterns available.
The group will then walk by candlelight to the Capitol parking lot at 7 p.m. There will be a brief ceremony with remarks by city Mayor John D.W. Reiley and a representative from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Dr. Whitney Pollock will also talk about the importance of self examination and the Rev. Bradley Schutt of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, will bless the lanterns before they are released at 7:30 p.m.
For more information or to preregister, call The Greystone Restaurant at 570-628-4220 and ask for Mark or Jerry.
