Block party helps fight cancer

Event to benefit Relay for Life teams in Pines, C. City and Davie

An upcoming block party will benefit Relay for Life teams in Pembroke Pines, Cooper City and Davie.

The block party runs from 9: 30 a. m. to 4 p. m. March 9 at the Shoppes of Cooper City, at the corner of Sheridan Street and Flamingo Road. The “block” consists of four neighboring businesses: Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Mia, Level 7 Fitness and Blown Away hair salon.

Terri Weinstein, of Pembroke Pines, put together the block party at the suggestion of friend and WPLG- 10 anchor Kristi Krueger, who also serves as co- chairwoman of the Pines Relay for Life team. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser.

“It’s close to my heart,” said Weinstein, who lost her sister to brain cancer 30 years ago. “Everyone is touched by cancer.”

Weinstein got the idea for the block party just before Christmas. The idea: Create activities at each business to draw in people, with proceeds benefiting the local Relay teams. For example, you could start with a morning coffee, get a haircut, work out at the gym and end with a pizza lunch.

“The idea is to keep the day moving and be exciting,” Weinstein said.

Some of the businesses will be hosting activities geared toward the fundraiser. Level 7 will host circuit- style-workouts at 9: 30 a. m., 11 a. m., noon and 2 p. m. Blown Away will offer manicures and haircuts from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Mia don’t have special events planned, but a portion of proceeds will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society. All the proceeds from Level 7 and Blown Away will be donated to the two-Relay teams.

The businesses will also offer various raffles throughout the day.

Weinstein doesn’t have a specific fundraising goal other than to raise as much as possible.

“I don’t knowwhat to expect since this is the first time,” she said.

The Pembroke Pines team will have its Relay event at 8 p. m. March 14 at Walter C. Young Middle School, 901 NW 129th Ave. The Davie/ Cooper City team will have its event at 4 p. m. April 5 at Cooper City High School, 9401 Stirling Road.

For more information, visit Relayforlife. org/ pembrokepinesfl and Relayforlife. org/ daviecoopercityfl.