By Frances Crutchfield
Contributing Writer

For one local group, Memorial Day weekend offered the opportunity to pay tribute to veterans by holding a fund-raising event to help defeat a deadly enemy: cancer.

The Lee’s Scouts Relay for Life Team, named for member Scott Allen’s sister, Lee Allen Deane, was formed by Boy Scout leaders Pat and Bucky Collins after Lee died of cancer in 2004.

New member Olaf Barth, born in Germany, symbolized the Team’s efforts to expand its horizons and recruit new members to fight this deadly disease that knows no boundaries.

Also new were two stuffed flag-holding bears, dressed in patriotic garb and seated in folding chairs, one on each side of the event banner. People who knew Lee, a veterinarian’s assistant and wildlife rehabilitator, were reminded of her care for two real-life bears rescued from a forest fire years ago. 

Lee’s Scouts Team was once again selling, for the benefit of the American Cancer Society, barbecued chicken, pork ribs, side dishes of macaroni and cheese, baked beans and cornbread. Homemade brownies were available for dessert.

Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the sale took place Saturday, May 23 at the Bon Air Shell Station at 8762 W. Huguenot Road. Chief cook was Scott Allen, one of the station’s owners. Second in command was Olaf Barth. Team members Betsy Jane Allen, Scott’s mother and team captain; Joanne Kithcart; Theresa Thompson and Shawn Coleman were on hand to help. 

Long before the scheduled opening, people, with high hopes of purchasing more than fuel for their cars, saw the smoke, sniffed the aroma and drove into the service station.

“I’m celebrating a true holiday weekend,” said one customer. “I’m taking a vacation from cooking.”

Another said he needed nourishment before cutting grass.

One man in a red Jeep was on the way to his daughter’s high school graduation but vowed to stop on the way home. “I hope there’ll be some left,” he said. He returned later to find enough for a celebratory graduation dinner, a fitting end for the last fund raiser before Powhatan County’s Relay for Life event, Friday, May 30, at Powhatan High School, 1800 Judes Ferry Road.

Courtesy photo
Bears honor veterans and support Cooking for a Cure.