8/23/07
Relay for 2007 a huge success; 2008 event already in planning
By Cathy Gilbert
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The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Clarendon County is already planning and preparing for Relay 2008. 2007 Chair Kristi Downer recently passed the Relay notebook to Pete and Janene Surette who will serve as 2008 RFL Event Chairs. |
Clarendon County will kickoff one of its largest events on Dec. 6, 2007 at the Manning United Methodist Church as the 2008 Relay season gets underway. Teams are already forming and making their fund raising plans for what is one of this county’s most important events.
Relay 2008 will be held in May under the leadership of a new chairman … and for the first time, a husband and wife will undertake the daunting role.
Manning Police Lt. Pete Surette and his wife, Janene will take over from Kristi Downer who successfully led the 2007 effort.
The fundraising year for Relay ends on Aug. 31 and as of July 17, the Clarendon event had raised $143,766 with an ultimate goal of $150,000.
The top team for last year was Clarendon School District 2, who raised a little over $18,000.
Meeting this year’s goal of $150,000 was not without its challenges. Three of the most active teams from prior years were not able to participate at the same level in 2007, leaving some huge shoes to fill, according to American Cancer Society official Beth Johnson. Johnson serves as area coordinator for this region. But Clarendon County stepped up to the plate.
“Clarendon County is at a $4.30 per capita level which is simply awesome,” according to Johnson. “That means for every man, woman and child in Clarendon County, someone raised $4.30. Many much larger counties in this state do not come near that per capita level.”
Federal Mogul, a long time Relay for Life supporter, has already held its first fundraiser for the 2008 Relay, a hot dog sale within their plant. Under the leadership of Team Captain Debbie Rowell, the Summerton manufacturer’s team has raised most of their monies with in-house fundraisers such as vacation day raffles and food sales.
In Clarendon County, the average returning team raised $3,600 and new teams averaged around $1,400 according to Johnson.
The theme for the 2008 Relay season is “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.”
With your help, we can conquer cancer. To be a part of this exciting and worthwhile adventure, contact Pete or Janene Surette at pvsurette@ftc-i.net.
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