Relay hit by economy
According to the 2009 Relay for Life Event Co Chair, Jan Nutt, Relay for Life has raised over $200,000 each year for the past few years.
Volunteers helping at the event have also dropped compared to years past.
Relay for Life had 73 teams and over 850 team members this year. GCSU had 24 of those teams. In the past, Relay for Life has had over 1,000 volunteers at the event. The planning committee consisted of about 25 volunteers which was about the same as last year.
The Relay for Life event started at 6 p.m., on Friday, April 3 and ended at 10 a.m., on Saturday, April 4. The event took place at South Creek, 2949 Hwy 441 South- a change of location from the Walter B. Williams park, where it has been located in recent years.
The Director of the GIVE Center, Kendall Stiles, said GCSU is an important factor for Relay. Stiles has participated in Relay for Life for the past 10 to 12 years and was the chair for Baldwin County from 1998 to 2002.
“(Relay for Life) has a good solid foundation of college students,” Stiles said.
The economy is the culprit for the lower donations and volunteers according to American Cancer Society Community Manager of Baldwin County, Lindsi Pearson.
“The economy has definitely impacted what people are able to give, but it is amazing to see that people do still give even when they are hurting,” Pearson said. “People know that cancer is still with us, even when the economy is bad; people are still suffering, possibly even more during this time. So (Relay for Life) still has to come together to try to help.”
Baldwin County public schools’ spring break fell on the same weekend as the event this year which may have prevented high school students from participating.
Despite the event’s shortcomings, it was considered a success.
“It was a tremendous success,” Nutt said. “We raised money to help eliminate cancer. We had somber moments as we remembered those lost to cancer and joyous moments as we celebrated survivors who have won their battle with cancer. There was fun, food and fellowship for everyone in the county who attended this unique overnight event.”
Most of the Relay for Life teams are still collecting donations until August which is the end of Relay for Life’s fiscal year.
The top five Relay for Life teams were: first place, Century Bank and Trust, $9,693.27; second place, Central State Hospital, $9,115.28; third place, Creekside Elementary, $8,665.90; fourth place, Baldwin High School, $6,647.59 and fifth place, First United Methodist Church, $6,416.85.
Relay for Life was thankful for all the help it received at the event.
“Thank you to all the (GCSU) teams and volunteers who helped make Relay 2009 a resounding success,” Nutt said. “Every donation from students, faculty and staff, no matter how large or small, is deeply appreciated.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 17 2009. Filed under News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
