Relay organizers need more teams, support for event
On Saturday, April 25, teams of local supporters will be gathering for an 18-hour event to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
“The event begins at noon on that Saturday, when participants take to a track and raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer,” said Beth Hayes, a staff partner for the Lee County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Right now, Hayes is looking for more teams to participate in the fun event.
“Teams consist of 10 to 15 people, who can be family and friends, clubs, schools, businesses and churches,” she said. “They commit to having someone from their team be on the walking track at all times during the event.”
The event will be held at the North Fort Myers Walmart, in the side parking lot near the Garden Center.
Donna E. Schultz is the store manager and will be part of her own Walmart team.
“We are so excited and honored to partner-up with such a phenomenal organization,” she said. “It’s the beginning of a great relationship.”
Teams will do on-site fund-raising through different activities, such as games or a bake sale beside accepting donations.
“They can be as creative as they want – our theme this year is Relay Around the World,” said Hayes.
For example, the Piney Road Auto Team will be the Irish Team. Owner Keith Toomey said his team has been gearing for the event for the last month.
“We had a fund-raiser in March which really had a nice turnout, even considering the economy,” he said.
For the Irish Team, he, family members and friends will be doing a variety of activities.
“We’re going to sell Irish coffee, have a raffle, sell waters and maybe some Irish chocolates,” he said. “There will be shamrocks you can put you name on, those types of things.”
Besides Piney Auto, the current local North Fort Myers teams include Victorious Against Cancer (folks from Victory Lane Cafe); Dragon’s Pride (North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts); Walmart and Team USA.
There’s also free entertainment. Featured this year are Ronnie Morgan and his band and local entertainer Brooke Huffmaster.
Morgan is a popular local entertainer and volunteer.”
“His music style is pop country that appeals to all ages,” said organizer Hayes. “Huffmaster is a talented singer who often performs with Ronnie.”
Morgan is part of the Victory Lane Team.
Billie Jo Daggett, who owns the Victory Lane Cafe, is looking forward to her team’s participation.
“It’s such an important cause,” she said. “Ronnie’s son passed away from cancer. It’s one of the reasons he supports the cause.”
Daggett also said she’s excited about the location, a high traffic area in the community.
“We need more teams and we need the turnout,” she said. “If you are available, we need your support, to show that North Fort Myers supports the Cancer Society.”
Morgan will be playing at different times throughout the event. Huffmaster will sing at the noon opening ceremony, the luminary ceremony and at other times throughout the event.
Maureen Godin is team member for Team USA, which has also been actively fund-raising for the last few weeks for the event.
“It’s so important because of all the patients services that are offered,” she said. “There is also a new on-line donation process, so it’s actually a fun way to get in touch with family and friends who aren’t close by. It also has a lot of information on what the American Cancer Society does, an awesome way to educate.
“It’s a fun-family event that everyone can participate in. We also want to encourage all the cancer survivors and the community to come out to the event.”
While the family fun activities go straight through the night and end at 6 a.m. Sunday morning, there is also a special ceremony.
“We do have a luminary ceremony at 9 p.m., Saturday night when candles are lit in remembrance of those who have lost their battle with cancer and in honor of survivors,” Hayes said.
Register your team today by calling the American Cancer Society at 936-1113, extension 113, or you can also register on-line by going to relayforlife.org\northfortmyersfl.