Managing Editor

May 15, 2000 10 PM

On Wednesday, May 17, 23 people will be pounding the pavement to sell newspapers in a special Relay for Life fundraiser sponsored by The Messenger.

The 23 people will become "old newsboys," and will hit the streets to help sell special editions of The Messenger highlighted with stories about cancer survivors in order to promote awareness of Saturday’s Relay for Life event, cancer and to help raise money to help fight the deadly disease.

"It’s a fun way to raise money for this event," said Messenger publisher Rick Reynolds. "All the proceeds from ‘old newsboy’ newspaper sales will go to Relay for Life."

The list of "old newsboys" includes the names of people with familiar faces from all areas of the county.

"The idea is to have total ‘newsboy’ coverage in Pike County to get the word out and to raise money for the event," Reynolds said. "This year we are adding some prizes to make turn up the heat on the friendly competition among old newsboys."

Featured prizes this year include an award for the top selling newsboy whose total contribution amounts exceed others. The winner in this category will be treated for a dinner for two at The Pines Restaurant courtesy of The Messenger.

Other award winners will be announced including the "Ataboy Award" which is reserved for the person who has the best sales effort and the "Extra, Extra Read All About It" award for the person deemed the "most conspicuous hawker."

Newsboys will also get T-shirts for their efforts and will be recognized for their service to the community and to Relay for Life in the Thursday, May 18 edition of The Messenger.

Newsboys will ask for contributions for newspapers from people.

"We want them to sell the newspapers for whatever they can get for the papers," Reynolds said. "This way, there’s really no limit to the amount they can collect for this cause."

The event will begin early, with papers available for newsboys to pick up at one of three locations including the Bass House in Brundidge, the back dock at The Messenger office and at Goshen Co-Op, as early as 5 a.m.

"The saying is that the ‘early bird gets the worm,’" Reynolds said. "We hope all our newsboys get an early start and have great success with this fundraiser."

Old newsboys will be Mike Amos, Mark Bazzell, Mike Bragg, Anthony Everage, Linda Felton, David Helms, Sheila Jackson, Doc Kirby, Jean Lee,

Faye Lunsford, Leigh Ann Montgomery, Jim Outlaw, John Parker, Larry Penn, John Schmidt, Frank Talbot, Britt Thomas, Mike Thomas, Russell Thomas, Dan Smith, Jimmy Spikes, Buddy Starling, Bill Stone, Taron Thorpe and employees of The Messenger.

"We appreciate the service these individuals are providing their community and the work toward seeking a cure for cancer," Reynolds said. "This is a wonderful cause and we appreciate the willingness of these individuals to donate their time and efforts toward helping Relay for Life."