PLACENTIA
NEWS-TIMES
AN EDITION OF
THURSDAY, JULY 1 8, 20 1 3
OCREGISTER.COM/PLACENTIA
SHINING FORCE Supporters of cancer victims and survivors light their candles before participating in the luminaria ceremony, which is a special segment of Relay for Life to take the time to remember the cancer victims they are walking in honor of. Top center, from left: Roger Fang, Rikhil Makwana and Kayla Coates. Left: Jennifer Abbott of Placentia.
Participants in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life provide flickers of hope to the disease’s victims. BY LOUIS CASIANO JR. ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
O
n a blistering hot Saturday, cancer survivors, their supporters and loved ones of those who have died from the disease helped raise more than $17,000 to fund treatment and research for a cure during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Placentia. The fundraiser, in its fourth year in Placentia, has
gotten bigger with each passing year, according to event Chairwoman Diana Sanchez. “It’s really grown in the last two years,” Sanchez said of the 24-hour walk, which was at Tuffree Middle School this year. Money raised from the relay is used for research and to care for those affected with all forms of cancer. S E E R E L AY ● PA G E 4 PHOTOS: KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bimbo Bakeries kicks in cash to keep pools in Placentia open STORY AND PHOTO BY DANIEL LANGHORNE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The children are back in Placentia’s public pools, thanks to a little help from Bimbo Bakeries USA. The bakery, which makes Thomas’ English Muffins, donated $7,000 toward repairs for the filtration and pump systems for the pools at the Whitten and Gomez community centers. The Gomez Community Center’s pool was also leaking. The city was concerned that it wouldn’t be in compliance with health
code standards. In all, the work cost nearly $10,000, with the city picking up the rest. “It got to the middle of June and we were thinking we would have to close one or both of our pools,” said Jon Nicks, deputy director of community services. Randy Wilson, the manager of Bimbo’s Placentia plant, said the company has a new president who is pushing for more community involvement. “Just to be able to see these kids in the pool right now makes you feel good about the program and that we’re able to make a
difference,” Wilson said. Joe Stephens of Commercial Aquatic Services said his company’s repair crew worked at a breakneck speed to get the job done in time for a ceremony at the Whitten Community Center pool last week. Stephens was proud that his company helped keep the children in the pool instead of watching TV or playing video games. “This is giving them the social skills they need to interact with people and be good, productive adults,” Stephens said.
Randy Wilson, the manager of Bimbo Bakeries’ Placentia plant, puts out treats for the children and others who attended the recent reopening ceremony after repairs were finished at Whitten and Gomez community pools.