By Staff
Melissa Cason
Over the past few years, the Franklin County Relay for Life committee has attempted to develop a family-friendly, fun environment for the Relay. In the spirit of fun, the committee selected this year's theme to play off old TV shows to bring "Relay Land: Tune in for a Cure" to Franklin County.
While the Relay's kickoff isn't until January, the committee is busy planning this year's Relay season and recruiting teams.
"We are considered a growing Relay," Beth Faulkner with ACS said. "We grew in teams and we also raised more money last year. We want to continue that trend here."
Faulkner said the committee's structure has changed and, in turn, the Relay will change and hopefully grow.
The committee is pushing team development and sponsorship hard in order to get more people involved in an effort to raise more money.
"The more teams you have the more money is raised for cancer research," Faulkner said. "So this is a good time for new teams to get involved with Relay."
Another issue for Relay is sponsorships.
"We just started having sponsors in Franklin County a few years ago so it's a new concept here, but nationwide, it's common for Relays to have several Relay sponsors," Faulkner said.
Faulkner and Relay co-chair Belinda Johnson are both hoping for several new sponsors this year.
Last year, the Relay brought in $126,000, and this year's goal is to bring in $5,000 more than last year.
"We love this theme idea," Johnson said. "I think it's going to be fun for the committee members, and the teams."
The next Relay is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2009. The kick off will be Jan. 8, 2009 at First Baptist Church.