Eating lots of food is probably not a good idea all the time, but, in terms of fighting cancer, it can be an excellent idea if it is done at Chili’s Restaurant, 1150 Branson Hills Parkway on Tuesday May 5th between 4:00 p.m. and closing. Chili’s is teaming up with the Branson Tourism Center Relay for Life Teams to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Ten percent (10%) of the Relay For Life “dining checks” will be donated to the “Relay for Life of Taney and Stone Counties.” To be eligible for the donation the dining check must be accompanied by a copy of the “Let’s Get Together” flyer that is available in the Branson Tourism Center lobby at 220 Branson Hills Parkway, the checkout lanes of Branson 1st Stop convenience store and gas station at that same address or on line at  https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/Chilis_relay_for_life.pdf.

According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every three Americans will be diagnosed with Cancer during their lifetimes. “Relay For Life” is an American Cancer Society, grassroots program designed to empower groups and individuals to participate in the fight against this formidable foe. The program “represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.”

To do that each “Relay For Life” teams raises money that will be used for cancer research, patient services and early detection and prevention education. Branson Tourism Center has three Relay For Life teams that have been involved with various fund raising efforts throughout the year such as the Chili’s event, an Ester egg hunt, and various in-house fund raising efforts.

The signature activity of Relay For Life is an annual overnight event celebrating “the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering loved ones lost, and fighting back against a disease that takes too much.” It involves more than 3.5 million people from 4,900 communities across the country who camp out over night at local school tracks or other areas as team members take turns walking or running around the track with at least one member of the team on the track at all times during the

The 8th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, presented by the Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee, will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 6:45a.m. to 8:30a.m. at the Tri-Lakes Center, located at 2527 State Hwy. 248 in Branson, Missouri. The public is invited.

Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will host this year’s event, held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, as an opportunity for guests to unite in fellowship as they pray, enjoy breakfast, and listen to an inspirational keynote address.

This year, the Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee presents keynote speaker Gil A. Stricklin, founder and CEO of Marketplace Chaplains USA and International. Stricklin’s Dallas-based company provides cross-denominational, multi-ethnic chaplain services to businesses nationwide as an employee care program. Marketplace Chaplains has 2,388 corporate chaplains caring for 524,814 employees and their family members in 767 cities in 44 states, as well as in Mexico, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and most recently, in the United Kingdom.

A highlight of the breakfast is the announcement of the 2009 Don Gabriel Kingdom Builder Award recipient. The award is given each year to someone in the community who exemplifies the love of Jesus Christ through their work in improving our community for the glory of God. Past recipients include Don Gabriel, Cliff Wagner, Larry VanGilder, John Baltes, Edd Akers, Barbara Brezavar and Brad Swafford.

Tickets for the 8th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast are $25.00 each or $175.00 for a table of 8, prior to the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis at the door on the day of the event for $27.50 each. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (417) 334-6308 or visit www.bransoncbmc.com.
The Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee is the local chapter of the national Christian Business Men’s Committee, a movement of men dedicated to prayer and sharing the gospel and hope of Jesus Christ.