CRESTVIEW — After vowing, "I'm gonna try to walk all night," Hayden Graham is currently hoofing laps around the Crestview High School track.

The seven-year-old, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Crestview team, is among nearly 300 people signed up for the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Like many walkers, Hayden is making his laps in honor of a loved one who survived the disease.

"My grandma, Carla Graham, had cancer," he said.

With a steady rain falling as the relay's 7 p.m. starting time drew closer, some walkers feared the event might be cancelled. But as blue skies peeked through from the north, by 7:15 umbrellas were furled and a giant rainbow formed over Jack Foster Stadium.

"It's great!" Christina Elliot of the Refit Sisters Christian fitness class team said. "It's a sign, I tell ya."

Russ Chamberlain, a volunteer with the Duke It Out team of Duke Airfield veterans, was pragmatic as he waited for skies to clear up over his 17th Relay for Life.

"This kind of thing, car shows, the Triple B–the weather can do it in," he said. "But it looks like it's going to clear up."

As she and fellow cancer survivors gathered in the stands in preparation for their victory lap, Dianne Love, proudly wearing her survivor's purple shirt, smiled broadly.

"It's good to be sitting up here," she said. "It's good to be seen and not viewed."

As the survivors set off on their lap to the tune of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and other "survivor" themed music, members of the Triple Threat Dance and Cheer school cheered them on with a specially choreographed performance.

"It feels good to support the cause," team member Seth  Dockstrader, 12, said.

"They've been working hard on this dance," Triple Threat coach Alana Sanchez said. "We're cheering on the survivors."

And as the clouds continued to drift away, so were more and more supporters who slowly streamed back to the track.

Relay For Life will continue all night until 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Admission and parking are free, and food is available from several participants to support the fight against cancer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Relay for Life kicks off after rain delay (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County commends the efforts of the Northwest Florida State College Student Government Association to make campuses smoke free.

On April 6, SGA voted to implement a tobacco-free policy at the college. SGA will now take their proposed policy to the college president, who will then take it to the Board of Trustees.

“In Florida, 29 colleges and universities have taken the bold step to enact 100 percent tobacco free campus policies,” Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director said.

“Tobacco has dangerous and harmful effects on an individual’s’ health and the well-being of the public. We need more of these environmental and policy changes throughout our communities to lessen the prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths in Okaloosa County.”

A 100 percent tobacco-free policy bans the use of all tobacco on campus grounds, parking lots, college-sponsored off campus events, and campus-owned vehicles. The policy applies to students, faculty, employees, and visitors.

Throughout the year, the task force surveyed 407 students, staff, and faculty. Over 80 percent of them supported a campus-wide tobacco free policy—with 14 percent feeling neutral about the proposed policy.

DOH-Okaloosa assisted SGA with the establishment of the NWFSC Tobacco Free Task Force that led this initiative. The task force consisted of students, faculty, staff, and community partners like the West Florida Area Health Education Center, who are committed to the health and well-being of those on campus. The task force partnered with DOH-Okaloosa to educate their fellow peers on the dangers of tobacco through events for Through with Chew Week, Kick Butts Day, and the Great American Smoke Out.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department commends college students’ tobacco-free campus efforts

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has announced water quality test results for local parks.

Three have potentially hazardous bathing water, the FDOH stated April 18.

Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island; and East Pass, Okaloosa Island failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

Parks with moderate ratings for the week are Poquito Park, Shalimar and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville. The rest received good ratings.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department releases April 18 water quality results

CRESTVIEW — In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Covenant Care is spotlighting some of its volunteers.

Crestview resident Anna Keown, "is one of our amazing Covenant Care volunteers," a spokesperson stated in a media release.

“Anna brings so much each week to Covenant Care,” Carol Haws, Covenant Care Volunteer Manager, stated. “She is always there when we need her, giving her time and sharing her admirable skills of organization and sharing so much of herself with our patients”.   

WHAT SHE DOES

Anna fills many different roles as a volunteer with Covenant Care. She takes care of the weekly “Tuck In” calls in the Crestview area making sure that patients and families have everything they need for the weekend.

In addition, Anna makes monthly check in calls to CC patients in assisted living facilities, visits those patients in the facilities and takes part in activities at the facility such as calling bingo. In the office Anna helps with all the mail outs, works the reception desk, goes to chamber meetings with the organization's volunteer community manager and helps with all events, including, Blue Jean Ball, Thrive Music Fest, Dance for Life, Miles of Memories, and more.  

Giving is a part of who Anna is since retiring from the US Navy. "She has become an integral part in Covenant Care’s We Honor Veterans Program," the release stated.

“Volunteering for Covenant means giving back to people that I served to protect. Learning how to truly be brave and to face uncertainty,” said Anna. “I believe that my life improves with each volunteer action and I am a better person.”

Anna recently adopted her niece’s 2-year-old son and her volunteering hasn’t skipped a beat. She is bringing her son up in an environment of community and of giving of oneself.

VOLUNTEERING AT COVENANT

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that will give you a sense of purpose and worthwhile work? Do you want to know that you make a real difference? Are you willing to use your unique skills and experiences on the job or to gain new ones? Do you hope to make new friends and serve as part of a team? Covenant Care promises these things and more to our volunteers. They'll help you find the place that is just right for you.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities and register for an upcoming volunteer training class by calling 1-855-2273, emailing volunteer@choosecovenant.org, or visiting the Covenant website at www.choosecovenant.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: This Crestview resident is one of Covenant Care's 'amazing' volunteers