Relay for Life seeks teams

Everyone interested in joining the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Kilgore is invited to an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Bolding Barn on Danville Road. The meeting will kick off the 2009 event.

Relay For Life is the ACS's national signature, overnight fundraising activity. Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches... people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.

The 7th annual ACS Relay For Life of Kilgore will take place April 24, 2009, at Kilgore Youth Softball/Soccer Complex.

"By organizing early, teams have more time to raise money for the American Cancer Society," said Jackie Fout, chairperson of the event.

Relay For Life mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and empower others to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

"The event raises awareness about the progress against cancer while also raising funds to fight the disease," said Fout. "Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting community event, as a volunteer or as a participant, have made a commitment to fight back against cancer."

Team captains have a critical role in the Relay. A team captains meeting is planned to jump start enthusiasm and to help get teams on the right track. Team captain duties include:

• Recruit eight to 15 team members at work, church, community clubs, civic organizations, family, friends or neighbors.

• Attend Relay captain team meetings.

• Secure team registration fee from sponsor or team members. Fee for all Student/Youth teams is $50. Fee for Adult teams is $50 until Dec. 31 and $100 thereafter. (The fee helps cover the costs of printing registration materials and other event overhead costs.)

• Fill out paperwork completely.

• Set a fundraising goal for the team and for individual members.

• Encourage and plan team fundraising events.

• Host team meetings. Recognize team successes and promote team spirit.

• Encourage team members to turn in money by deadline. Account for all team money.

• Encourage team members to sell luminaria and to write names or decorate the bags for the event.

• Attend bank night to turn in the team's money.

• Develop a team theme for the team's campsite at the Relay.

Team captains from last year, other individuals interested in forming teams or those needing more information are encouraged to contact Fout at 903- 984-6986 or e-mail her at j.fout@yahoo.com. You can also visit www.RelayForLife.org to connect with other relayers in your community and across the nation. To learn about the American Cancer Society's programs, call 1-800-ACS- 2345 or visit www.cancer.org.