With 13 teams, over 140 participants and an estimated $10,000 raised so far, organizers for the fourth annual Relay For Life of Escalon are working toward their 2014 goals.
Publicity and online committee chair Caryn Ball said committee meetings are ongoing, there is always a need for more volunteers and participants, and a full 24 hours of activity is being planned for the June 21-22 Relay dates.
Event co-chairs this year are Arianna and Teresa Kennedy and Ball said many of the same teams that have participated in the past are returning. The Times will soon begin a ‘Team Spotlight’ that will provide information on each team, the onsite fundraisers it has planned and the team’s ‘Reason to Relay.’
“We are having a Survivor Birthday Party at the Saron Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m.,” Ball added. “The church is at 1742 North Street and if people would like to register as a survivor, or come to the party, they can contact our survivor chairs, Debbie Megenney at 247-9989 and Gerri Andrade at 324-6947.”
The ‘birthday party’ celebrates survivors and their victory over cancer, while the goal of Relay For Life is to raise funds and awareness in the continued fight against cancer.
The 24-hour event sees someone from each team on the track at all times and participants can walk, jog, skip – however they want to make their laps around the track. Ball said they also want the community to know that they are welcome to attend the event, regardless of whether they are on a team. The festivities are open to all and the event at the Escalon High School football field features music, activities, special ceremonies, food, opportunity drawings, fun for kids and more.
Committee meetings are held monthly, with the next one set for Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Escalon Ambulance Station at 1480 Ullrey.
“We would still be open to more teams, definitely,” Ball said.
Staff partner from the American Cancer Society this year for Escalon is Taylor Howard and information can be obtained by calling 524-7241 or going to Relay For Life – Escalon on the ACS website.
Ball’s team, Cancerous Suckitous, is doing some pre-event Bunco night fundraisers among family and friends, and will feature colon cancer in their ‘Fight Back’ message at Relay. They will also be selling chicken skewers, fruit skewers and new candy skewers, Henna tattoos and having a silent auction, all part of their onsite fundraising. They will also host a free (donations appreciated) soccer clinic, featuring high school coaches, starting at 10 a.m. for kindergarten through third graders on Saturday, June 21 and 10:30 a.m. for fourth through eighth graders.
