Relay Plans Well Underway: Many Opportunities Remain

The Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge (BOW) Relay for Life committee and team leaders met at the High Plains Community Center last night to go over the plans for this year’s fund-raising event at the Orange Fairgrounds, May 21 and 22.

The official website, www.relayforlife.org/bowct website has been established and it's easy for friends and neighbors to step up and support their favorite teams by clicking on a link and following the instructions.

During the meeting, the committee expressed the importance of getting local businesses involved in the Relay.

There are many ways for businesses to get involved, either as major sponsors – with monetary donations; by getting their own teams together, sponsoring “Relay for Life Night” at their restaurant (and donating a portion of the proceeds) and challenging other businesses to do the same; or by donating food, beverages, condiments or paper goods for the Relay days.

More than 500 participants came to the 2010 Relay for Life and this year, the committee hopes it will be bigger and better, and local businesses certainly can help.

Local bands also are sought, and can donate their services and secure a time slot by contacting bowrelayforlife@gmail.com.

For more information, see the official website or contact aubrey.swift@cancer.org.

Even though the committee already has met twice, and the team leaders know what to do, it is not too late to get a team together. Volunteers are needed for a myriad of jobs, such as manning the raffle tent, filling sand into bags for the luminaria ceremony, and so much more.

The Relay for Life is one of the American Cancer Society’s most successful fund-raising events to raise money for cancer research. They are held across the country and last year’s BOW Relay exceeded expectations in terms of fund-raising.

The BOW goal for 2011 is $110,000. As of 6 a.m. March 1, the 15 teams have raised a total of $2,092, and with only 81 more days left, they still have a long way to go before reaching that goal.

Now is a great time to donate to your favorite team. Individual residents, clubs, groups, businesses and entertainers — Come together now for a great cause. Reach out and contact someone from the BOW Relay for Life today.