By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
The city of Hartselle is nine short weeks away from hosting its first American Cancer Society Relay For Life event.
Relay Hartselle team captains and committee members met recently to discuss the event's progress. With a fundraising goal of $50,000 and a commitment goal of 20 teams, the 2006 ACS Relay For Life Hartselle is well on its way to success.
Thirteen teams have registered for the May 12-13 event at E.A.R.T.H. Park and seven more teams have made verbal commitments to participate. The newest teams to register are Kid's Kastle and Annie's Family and Friends.
"Hartselle has a great group of people here working to make Relay For Life a success," Beth Chapman, ACS development representative, said. "Everyone is so full of energy and excitement."
Chapman said virtual teams can also be formed online at www.acsevents.org/relay/al/hartselle.
"This is a great resource for people who cannot attend the actual event," Chapman explained. "Everything can be done online, from forming teams to making donations."
Fundraising is increasing daily with Brewer High School's JROTC already having raised $6,590 of their team's $10,000 goal. Brewer JROTC has also committed $2,000 to sponsor the event's survivor celebration.
Hartselle Medical Center and Gilchrist Pharmacy are co-sponsoring the Wall of Hope banner, while Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home and Family Security are Friends of Relay For Life sponsors.
Chapman said several sponsorship opportunities are still available, including Title/Event, Luminaria, Cancer Fact, Sprit Award, Community Sponsor, and Friend of Relay For Life. Sponsorships are available from $250 to $5,000 and offer companies a range of opportunities for recognition and participation.
Relay Hartselle committee chairs are still needed for mission delivery, advocacy and data collection.
The next Relay Hartselle team captains meeting will be Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Hartselle Medical Center in the cafeteria with the committee meeting to follow.
If you, your business, church, school, or civic group is interested in learning how to participate in or become a sponsor for the 2006 Relay For Life Hartselle, the city's first American Cancer Society event, contact co-chair Elaine Balch at 773-3633 or 355-5994.
For general Relay For Life information, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
For upcoming Relay Hartselle events, check the community calendar each week in the Hartselle Enquirer.