CNSC event to send lanterns into sky

Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) will host the 10th Annual Lantern Launch beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, November 28, at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Agriculture Building. CNSC will have hot drinks available during the event. Each year this event has become a favorite time for more people to attend, CNSC stated. “We anticipate there will be over 100 lanterns launched this year – hopefully the most yet! This is the last event for CNSC for 2020 so we encourage you to come take part in a growing tradition,” said CNSC board member Kathy Miller. “Watching the beautiful lanterns fly is fun and a wonderful way to remember our loved ones. COVID-19 has been a thorn in our sides for any of our fundraisers this year. Maybe we can send this launch off with a bang and joyful celebration!”

Lanterns may be purchased for $10 at the time of the launch or by calling John at 826-6163. Checks can be sent to CNSC, P.O. Box 1311, Plains, MT 59859. The lanterns can be written on to send a message aloft. Some have had pictures or names, and some displayed loving messages in honor of a friend or family member who is fighting cancer or who has lost the battle. It is a beautiful sight at night to see these messages sent. Families and community members of all ages are invited to join in the event.

If the weather leaves you in doubt as to whether or not the launch will take place, call 826-6163 after 5 p.m. on Saturday and there will be a recorded message on the answering machine indicating a go for the launch or an alternate date. Too much wind, snow, or rain will delay the launch.

The lanterns are biodegradable and will disintegrate after a short time on the ground. Again this year, CNSC is offering $1 for every lantern found and returned to Shelley at Paws Here Pet Styling. “We are trying to be responsible to our environment,” Miller stated.

If you would like to send off a lantern, but you can’t make it to the fairgrounds, CNSC will write your message on a lantern of your choice and launch it with love! Even if you do not wish to purchase a lantern, join CNSC Saturday and lend a hand launching the many lanterns for people who could not attend to launch their own.