Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Checking in with Relay For Life

Story By Blair O’Briant

The annual round of fundraisers is well underway with the Watauga County chapter of Relay For Life, leading up to the culminating relay on Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16, at Watauga High School. Local teams have been working hard to raise money and prepare for the event since mid February.

Relay For Life is driven by local fundraising teams from all walks of life. Both individuals and teams can raise funds for the American Cancer Society before and during the actual event. Sharon Trivette, co-chair of the local chapter, said teams consist of various groups of people such as families, students, coworkers and schools. She said all schools in Watauga County currently have at least one team. Trivette said many people put teams together in honor of a cancer survivor or someone who currently is dealing with cancer. Trivette said it is easy to find teams because everyone is touched by cancer in some way. Teams involved n Relay For Life meet once a month leading up to the event.

Relay For Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt of Washington walked around a track for 24 hours and raised $27,000. Since then, the event has grown into an international annual event, held in 19 countries, on 6 continents and in over 4,700 communities. The event is now the largest nonprofit fundraising activity in the world.

The Watauga County chapter of Relay For Life has found great success over the years. The chapter was the number one fundraising community in its population group in the entire United States for five years, and the number two team in 2000 and 2006.

Sharon Trivette of Relay For Life has high hopes for this year’s effort. “We’re hoping to get back to number one this year,” she said.

For more info about this year’s event, call Sharon Trivette at 828-297-1691 or Glenda Hodges at 828-264-8529.

Relay For Life Team Fund-Raisers 2007

Relay’s 100 + teams are hard at work planning their events and have lots of exciting things in store. All proceeds from Relay for Life events go to the American Cancer Society.

Luminaria Sales: Purchase a luminaria in honor or in memory of someone with cancer. Luminaria will be lit all night June 15 at Watauga County’s Relay For Life at Watauga High School. The cost is $10 each and forms are available from any team member or from the Luminaria Chair, Gail Fox (phone: 297-2795).

Friday and Saturday, April 20 to 21: Yard Sale, National Guard Armory, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 20 and 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 21, sponsored by Relay For Life team Foley’s Auction Company, captains Faye Foley (828-297-2181) and Mariann Clawson (828-295-3906)

Saturday, April 21: Yard Sale, Three Forks Baptist Church, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., sponsored by Relay For Life team P-Paul, captains Debbie Blake (828-297-2069) and Elizabeth Isaacs (828-264-5397)

Monday, April 23: Spirit Night at Backyard Burgers, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., food and entertainment, clogging and face painting, portion of the proceeds from food sales goes to Relay For Life, sponsored by Relay For Life team, Backyard Burgers’ Cancer Charbroilers, captain Pat Mace (828-264-2797)

Friday, April 27: Spaghetti Dinner (in honor of Brooklyn Rominger), Bethel Elementary School Cafeteria, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Relay For Life team Bethel School, captain Jessica Nolt (828-773-1900)

Saturday, April 28: Yard Sale, Valle Crucis Elementary School, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., sponsored by Relay For Life team Mast Store Miracle Force, captains Janet Mahala (828-963-6511, ext. 257) and Briana Boone (406-0377 or 963-6511, ext. 258)

Sunday, April 29: Praise Sing, Laurel Springs Baptist Church, 6:00 p.m., featuring Ashe County Association Choir, Standing Ground, McKinney Family, and others, sponsored by Relay For Life team Friends For Life, captain Kathy Idol (828-264-5240)

Friday, May 4: A Day at Cici’s Pizza, 10% of proceeds from collected receipts are donated to Relay For Life, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., sponsored by Relay For Life team Boone Drug Crusaders, captains Martha Caldwell (828-266-1445) and Amber Wideman (828-264-3055)