In just a few days, a group of teams will set up camp on the campus of the Greater Brewton Area YMCA to hold the annual Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Organizers are finalizing plans that will begin at noon May 5 with opening ceremonies to be followed with the traditional survivors lap.
In honor of cancer survivors, organizers have planned a brunch to be held immediately before opening ceremonies.
Relay committee member, Marcia DeGraaf, said the special event prior to the beginning of the Relay event, and is one held to honor those who have won the fight against cancer.
“This brunch is a wonderful event every year,” DeGraaf said. “The brunch will begin at 11 a.m. and go until noon. There will be a Committee/Survivors Tent set up at the Relay site for the brunch.”
DeGraaf said the brunch for the 2012 Relay for Life event is being sponsored by the Brewton Civic League.
“We appreciate their support,” DeGraaf said. “We invite all cancer survivors to join us for the brunch.”
With activities planned throughout the day, teams and Relay visitors will have a chance to have some fun and continue fundraising to help fund cancer research and patient support.
Katelyn Ellis, ACS community representative and Relay event chairperson, said activities will begin at 12:45 p.m. and continue through to closing ceremonies at 9 p.m.
Many activities planned during the event will be open to the public with several teams offering food and refreshments throughout the day in a continuation of fundraising.
Ellis said several awards will be presented to teams during closing ceremonies to offer encouragement to participating groups.
“We will be presenting awards for the best overall team theme, best overall team campsite and best overall themed team costumes,” Ellis said. “We will also have a Mission Delivery Award for the team who has the best display of cancer facts at their campsite.”
A special Spirit of Relay award will be presented to the team having shown the most Relay spirit and will be based on the number of Relay Bucks given throughout the day, Ellis said. There will be an additional award for the team who has raised the most funds throughout the 2012 Relay for Life season.
Title sponsor for the 2012 Relay for Life event is Georgia Pacific.