SALINAS VALLEY — The South Monterey County cities of King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales hosted a joint celebration on Aug. 8 for the inaugural Paint the Valley Purple campaign.
Each city held its own program to get the word out that the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of the Salinas Valley will be taking place in Salinas this September.
The events brought together local survivors, families and friends to honor cancer survivors and bring awareness regarding the disease.
At the kickoff in King City, community members gathered at the Downtown Plaza at 8:30 a.m. The morning program included folklórico dancers, remarks from local officials and the lighting of the relay torch before the group continued to the other South County cities.
“Our four cities got together and made sure that the residents within our valley have the opportunity to gather together and share their stories,” said King City Mayor Mike LeBarre, while presenting a proclamation on behalf of the city to the event organizers. “When we come together, it makes us stronger.”
After King City’s celebration, event organizers and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez headed to Greenfield’s Parkside Park for the next gathering and were welcomed to a sea of purple.
“At Greenfield, Mayor Robert White and Supervisor Chris Lopez shared words and lit and passed a torch to me, as I represented the City of Soledad,” said Soledad Councilmember Eva Banuelos. “At Cesar Chavez Park in Soledad, we had music, a health fair and vendors. Supervisor Lopez spoke and so did Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez. The health fair offered free blood pressure and glucose checks. Our deepest gratitude to Supervisor Lopez, the Relay for Life team and every single participant. Their presence and kindness brought so much hope to this vital fight.”
Following the Soledad event, Lopez, Banuelos and the Relay for Life organizers once again hit the road to go to the final destination at Central Park in Gonzales.
There, banners of cancer survivors and families of people who lost their lives to cancer were displayed. At the end of the Gonzales celebration, families and friends took a walk together around the park.
Gonzales officials then passed the relay torch to Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue, as the next stop will be the annual Relay for Life in downtown Salinas, scheduled for Sept. 19 on Main Street.
“We need to let every person know that when they get that diagnosis that they are not alone,” Lopez said. “When they feel that moment of darkness, we can be the light that pulls them back out. There are resources and groups that can help you become your best advocate. It is an honor to be here in Central Park and see you hold up those photos of those you love and to realize we are in this battle together.”
For more information about Relay for Life of the Salinas Valley and registration, visit tinyurl.com/2026Relay4LifeSV.
