Pre-Relay events hope to raise funds

Friday, October 22, 2010
Participants walk in the Relay for Life event last year. Organizers of the 2011 relay, which is set for April 30 through May 1, will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at DePauw University's Memorial Student Union ballroom to discuss the theme and introduce committee chairs for the event. Contributed photo

GREENCASTLE -- The 2011 Putnam County American Cancer Society Relay for Life event is more than six months away, but planning and fundraising for it are already starting.

The 2011 relay is set for April 30 through May 1. A pre-relay community meeting is set for Tuesday. The meeting will take place at DePauw University's Memorial Student Union ballroom, and will begin at 7 p.m.

"We will talk about the theme of this year's relay, provide a lot of information and introduce committee chairs," said Dick Shuck, co-chair of the 2011 relay.

Teams can also sign up at the meeting, and individuals can learn about volunteer opportunities connected with the relay.

Getting a team together and registered for the event is now easier than ever. Sign-ups can be done online at www.relayforlife.org/putnamcounty.in

"We're really encouraging people to sign up early," Shuck said. "The website is really user-friendly."

Assisting Shuck are event co-chairs Tyler Archer and Roddrea Smith, both seniors at DePauw, and DePauw sophomore Katherine Butler, this year's luminaria chair.

"I have been touched by cancer," Butler said. "I have had grandparents who have had it. But more than that, I feel like being involved is a way to give back to the community."

Shuck said he has always been impressed with the involvement of the students at DePauw in the Putnam County Relay for Life.

"They are such a big part of it," he said. "The creativity of the students is remarkable. They find great ways to reach out to the community."

Shuck said local schools also help promote the Putnam County relay.

"They do that just by allowing the students to be involved," he said. "They collect pennies and things like that."

Shuck has been involved with Relay for Life for many years.

"It just means a lot to me," he said. "I've had a lot of family members and friends who have had cancer. It's my way of supporting my family."

About 75 percent of them money raised at local Relay for Life events stays in the community in which they are held. The remainder goes to the American Cancer Society.

"I don't think people really realize what the American Cancer Society does," Shuck said. "It's such a great resource for not just people who have cancer, but also for their friends and families."

Last year's Putnam County Relay for Life raised $166,000, and 106 teams participated.

"Of course you always like it if you can do better than the year before, but if we do $166,000 again I'll be happy," Shuck said.

The first fundraising event for the 2011 Putnam County relay, Bark for Life, is set for Oct. 30.

The event, a Halloween costume contest for dogs, will take place at Bowman Park at DePauw University from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can enter up to two dogs. Cost is $10 for the first dog and $5 for the second.

Registration fees will be credited to the Relay for Life team of the participant's choice.

Bark for Life will feature a variety of activities for dogs and humans. Each registered dog will receive a goody bag compliments of Scott Pet Products.

Those who don't have dogs will also be able to participate -- The Humane Society of Putnam County will be offering dogs to "rent" for $10 per hour.

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