Hats off for Red Hatters from Somers

Members of the Sexy Somers Sisterhood chapter of the Red Hat Society put their heads, hats and hearts together and raised nearly $3,000 at this year's American Cancer Society Flathead Valley Relay for Life.

Team captain Barb Robbins gathered support from her colleagues and put together a team of nine walkers for the two-day event held June 24 and 25 at Flathead High School's Legends Stadium. This was the first year that the Somers Red Hatters participated in the relay and the second year for Robbins, whose mother and husband have survived cancer.

"Cancer is so much a part of our family," said Robbins. "For me, walking in the relay has been a healing process."

Last year, when Robbins decided to join the Relay as a walker, her mother was battling her third bout of cancer.

Part of the money raised annually during the relay is from the sale of luminarias - candles that are lit in honor of loved ones who have survived, are fighting or have succumbed to cancer.

"Walking at night as the luminarias are lighted is wonderful, touching and emotionally cleansing thing to do," she said.

Three of the Somers Sisterhood that participated this year are cancer survivors, Robbins said.

For Fran Ruby, survivorship chairwoman, this was her eighth year of involvement with the Flathead relay.

"So many of the gals have had someone in their families who's been affected by cancer," she added. "Each of us had a strong reason to come together."

The Red Hatters, which Robbins describes as a "disorganized organization," attended the relay decked out in their trademark red hats and purple shirts.

Together they marched proudly in the team parade at the beginning of the event, then took turns throughout the night alternately walking and rocking in the rocking chairs they'd brought with them.

Team recruitment chairwoman Betty Mace reports that nearly 600 people formed 43 teams to raise $75,000, with more donations still coming in.

Friends, family, cancer survivors, co-workers, civic groups and students united for the common cause. "It was so awesome to see so many people step up to the plate," she said.

Mace also expressed deep appreciation to Qdoba Mexican Grill, which provided food free of charge to everyone who participated and by donation request to all who were there supporting friends and family members.

"There was plenty of food to go around. For us, that was a huge corporate sponsorship," she said.

"Our red hats are off to all of the hard-working people that helped to make the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life such a great success," wrote Robbins in a letter to the Inter Lake.

"The organizing committee did a wonderful job. All the behind-the-scenes people that contributed to the cause deserve a big thank-you also.

"We will find a cure! Thank you and God bless all of you."