Auxvasse Elementary relays for life

May 20, 2012 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated May 20, 2012 at 6:00 a.m.

An Auxvasse Elementary student makes a lap around the bus track in front of the school for this year's "Walking With Joy and Zac" event. Named for a former teacher and student who passed away of cancer, the miniature Relay for Life event serves as a chance for students to take a break from studies and raise funds for a worthy cause.
An Auxvasse Elementary student makes a lap around the bus track in front of the school for this year's "Walking With Joy and Zac" event. Named for a former teacher and student who passed away of cancer, the miniature Relay for Life event serves as a chance for students to take a break from studies and raise funds for a worthy cause.

Students at Auxvasse Elementary got a break from classes Friday to have fun while contributing to the battle against cancer.

The day marked their sixth annual "Walking with Joy and Zac" event, a sort of miniature Relay for Life event meant to raise funds for local families fighting cancer.

Auxvasse Elementary 5th grade teacher Jennifer Allen began the event as "Walking with Joy" six years ago, after colleague Joy Thompson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.