Bladen County Relay for Life has kicked off their fundraising season and teams are gearing up with their most creative ideas to raise money for research to end cancer. Angeline Powell, the Chairman of this year’s Relay for Life event, said the main event will take place Friday, May 12, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m at the Elizabethtown Middle School Field. The goal for this year’s event is $100,000 and the Bladen County Relay for Life website shows $27,736.84 have been raised thus far.
This year’s theme is Dr. Seuss and each team is encouraged to use a Dr. Seuss book as their campsite theme. Powell said there will plenty for everyone to do during the event. There will be live entertainment, food will be available for purchase, and activities for kids and teams.
Powell said team captains have been assembling their teams and discussing fundraising ideas since September and the annual Survivor’s Gala was held Sunday, March 26, at the Love Grove Baptist Church in Tar Heel. The event was attended by 60 survivors, their families and care takers. The Rev. Edwin Ferguson of Mt. Zion AME Church in Elizabethtown was the speaker for the evening and the Love Grove Puppets provided entertainment to the delight of everyone in attendance. Food was prepared and delivered by the Cape Fear Lodge No. 300.
Powell said it is not too late to enter a team. Anyone wishing to enter a team can do so by going to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY17SA?pg=entry&fr_id=83128 and follow the instructions.
The event will be held at the Elizabethtown Middle School field from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The opening ceremonies are planned for 6 p.m. followed by the Survivor’s Lap. The Luminaria Ceremony will take place at 9 p.m. Powell said the Hush Angels will make a circle of the track before the Luminaria Ceremony to let everyone know when it is about to start.
Powell said there will be prizes for Best Campsite, Best Food, Best Educational Booth, Top Five Team Fundraising, and Top Five Individuals Fundraising. She said one difference this year is the awards will not be given out at the Relay event but instead will be presented at the Event Wrap-up Meeting which will take place at a later date. Powell siad the main reason for this is that many teams will turn in their money following the Really event.
“Last year, we had one school team had a fundraiser after Relay and the event did not end until final exam week. So we pushed the awards back so as to give everyone a fair chance (for awards),” said Powell.
Currently, there are 30 teams registered for the event. Thus far, $27,736.84 has been raised and the goal is $100,000.
For more information about becoming a vendor or about Bladen County Relay for Life, contact Relay for Life Event Chairman Angeline Powell by calling 910-549-733 0r email: powell_angeline75@yahoo.com
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