The American Cancer Society honored Shelaine Wise, chair person of the Baldwyn's first Relay for Life event in May 2008, with its Community Volunteer of the Year 2007-2008 in the Mid-South division.

Wise and Baldwyn Mayor Danny Horton attended the American Cancer Society North Mississippi 2008 Awards Celebration at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo on Thursday, March 12.

Inspired by her mother Dottie Pennington's courageous fight with lung cancer, Wise was the force behind this community's first Relay for Life event that raised $33,000 for cancer research and involved more than 16 area teams competing in talent competitions and womanless beauty revues.

"I am humbled by this recognition because our relay last year was a community event that brought all that participated so close together. Baldwyn is the most caring, generous town and inspires me to work as hard as I can for this cause," Wise said.

Wise and various committees are already at work on Relay for Life 2009, which will be held Friday, May 29 at Latimer Park. It is not too late to register a team for this year's event. Interested groups can contact Martha Haynes at 365-5848, Susan Phillips at 365-7331, or Robert McCoy at 213-6400.