In just five months, the East Escambia Relay for Life event will get under way with activities to commemorate the fight against cancer.
Relay Chairman Sharon Peacock said 20 teams are already signed up for the event held to benefit the American Cancer Society.
“We have 20 teams who have made a commitment to participate in the 2011 Relay for Life event,” Peacock said. “We have a few silent teams but expect to have a good event with teams setting up campsites at the event.”
With some fundraising already being done by several teams, Peacock said funds are already starting to add up.
“The recent Bark for Life event at the park raised around $1,500 for Relay,” Peacock said. “We have a few other teams that are already working to raise money through various activities and events.”
Funds are also raised each year through event sponsorships, Peacock said. With several different levels of sponsorship available, businesses, groups and individuals have an opportunity to be a part of the Relay event.
“We are still looking for our platinum sponsor,” Peacock said. “The sponsor would be considered the title sponsor and would have prime exposure leading up to the event and on Relay day.”
Platinum sponsorship can be obtained with a $4,000 donation and would allow the sponsors name and logos to be displayed on the Relay t-shirts, prime location in the Relay program, banners and signs leading up to the event including announcements and acknowledgements during the Relay event.
Teams can be made up of any number of people, Peacock said. Although 10 would be a good number to start, other size teams are always welcome.
“We ask that each team commit to raising at least $1,000 for Relay,” Peacock said. “Having 10 people on a team means that each member would need to raise $100 which is very easy to do. If the team were larger it would be even easier to raise more than the initial $1,000 amount. Smaller teams may have to work a little harder to get to that $1,000 mark.”
Peacock said many businesses have started Relay teams and have been successful over the years; however, teams are not limited to business groups.
“All it takes is a group of friends, co-workers, neighbors or any group to commit to raising funds to help in the fight against cancer,” Peacock said. “We have some organizations that have teams and we have school groups and just groups of friends who have joined together to help in the fight. We are excited to have any team register to be a part of Relay for Life.”
Fundraisers can range from raffles to selling drinks or food at area events, Peacock said.
Peacock said it’s not too late to form a team or get a team going with fundraisers for Relay.
“We will take teams as long as someone wants to sign up,” Peacock said. “There are a lot of fun activities that go along with Relay each year. The more people we have to fight for a cure for cancer, the more fun we will have.”To learn more about forming a team or joining a team already formed, contact Peacock by email at sharonpeacock@hotmail.com or by phone at 809-4845.