Community Corner

Coming in Woodbury: Dunk the Mayor, Fight Cancer

This year's Relay for Life will feature a dunk tank for the "Mayors Challenge."

Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens wanted to race some of her colleagues around the track on non-motorized scooters.

They voted her down. Instead, she’ll be in a dunk tank.

“It should be fun,” Stephens said.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She is joining the mayors of Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park for a “Mayors Challenge” during this year’s .

The lighthearted competition gives the mayors a chance to raise money for teams that will participate in the 24-hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year’s event begins the evening of June 8 at East Ridge High School.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last year’s Mayors Challenge pitted Stephens against Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey as they toted teams’ gear in golf carts. This year’s event will be a bit more structured, Stephens said, though she asked her family for ideas and they suggested hula-hoops or throwing veggies at the cities' leaders.

Stephens is raising money for the Woodbury Ambassadors team. People can:

  • donate directly to the Relay for Life (indicate Woodbury Mayors Challenge);
  • bring a flyer to on June 4 for 10 percent of the cost of their meal going to the fundraiser (check out the PDF of the flyer with this post.); or
  • dunk the mayor the night of the Relay.

“It’s a great event,” Stephens said of the South Washington County Relay for Life, one of the state’s largest. “There’s a lot of energy behind it.”

    

Cancer has also touched Stephens’ family. Her youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer about a year and a half ago and had to endure a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. While cancer doesn’t run in the family, Stephens said it served as a reminder that “you’re not immune to it.”

The cancer was detected early through a new screening procedure.

“She’s doing great,” Stephens said. “She’s got a great attitude.”

 

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