The American Cancer Society s Relay For Life It s About a Community That Takes Up The Fight March 2010 Relay For Life of Southwest Gainesville April 23 24, 2010 Thank you to Team Development Co Chair Heidi Tomlin for allowing the SW relay to host a table at the Town & Country Open House on Feb. 20! Committee members were able to use this time to increase Relay awareness among business owners and other members of the SW Gainesville community. SW YMCA Athletic Facility The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those who face cancer will be supported, those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, and one day cancer will be eliminated. Cancer Information 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year 1.800.ACS.2345 www.cancer.org Events and Announcements The Relay For Life of SW Gainesville is hosting a variety of fundraising and survivorship events during the months of March and April, including a survivor breakfast, ice cream social and luminary decorating day. See pages 4 & 5 for details! Event Planning Committee Meetings 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 9 & 23 at Town & Country Veterinarians, 6980 SW Archer Road. Team Captain Meetings 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 16 & 30 at Town & Country Veterinarians, 6980 SW Archer Road. Come ready to talk about fundraising and day of event preparations! Haile Farmer s Market Volunteers are staffing a Relay table at the market on March 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please contact Nickie Kortus (nickie.kortus@cancer.org) if you d like to volunteer for a 2 or 4 hour shift.
National Recording Artist Sean Renzetti to Perform at 2010 SW Gainesville Relay South Florida musical artist Sean Renzetti, who has participated in several Relay For Life events over the past two years, will be putting on a free performance at this year s SW Gainesville Relay on April 23. Renzetti was the front man for international touring pop band The Drive Home (www.myspace.com/ drivehomemusic). The Drive Home headlined two college tours in 2008, toured Europe with the Backstreet Boys in 2009, and have performed at more than 50 Relay for Life events throughout Florida. Born prematurely in the 80s to Canadian parents who happened to be on vacation in South Florida, Renzetti has been defying the odds since day one. As a child, he was hospitalized for more than 18 months with a serious heart condition. Renzetti discovered that the performing arts allowed him to get through this difficult time. By the time he reached high school, he had already been invited to perform at several Disney events, had participated in several touring theater shows and won numerous awards. Due out in Fall 2010, Renzetti s debut album features collaborations with Grammy Award winning producers and artists. He will also be headlining several fall festivals and touring with a multi platinum artist toward the end of 2010. Renzetti s music is 100 percent family friendly and is sure to entertain crowds at the 2010 Relay For Life of SW Gainesville. 2010 Relay Leadership Committee Ted Stover Event Chair Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. Goal Accomplished! Eric Sorensen Team Development Chair Heidi Tomlin Team Development Co Chair Kevin Shortelle Mission Education & Advocacy Chair Marilyn Dietz Mission Education & Advocacy Co Chair Jenifer Stover Survivor & Luminaria Chair Misty Barnett Survivor & Luminaria Co Chair LaShaun Solomon Marketing & Publicity Chair Brittany Ferguson Marketing & Publicity Co Chair Candice Noble Activities & Entertainment Chair Lua Mellman Activities & Entertainment Co Chair Christy Finnegan Logistics Chair Grace White Logistics Co Chair Accounting Co Chair John Bunting Accounting Chair Margaret Friend Online Chair To kick off 2010, Disney is celebrating volunteer work by offering a free one day, one park ticket to those participating in a community organization. Disney allotted a limited number of tickets for this promotion and recently reached their volunteer goal this month! Relay For Life of SW Gainesville would like to thank everyone that signed up. Nickie Kortus ACS Staff Partner
Help Us Celebrate a World with More Birthdays This year s Relay theme is International Birthdays. Here are how some countries around the world celebrate this special day. Use these traditions to get you thinking creatively about your team s tent decorating and fundraising plans. China Noodles for Lunch. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch; noodles are served to wish the child a long life. In addition, the child receives money from both parents. Denmark Flying Flags. A flag is flown outside a window to designate that someone inside is enjoying a birthday. Presents are placed around childrenʹs beds while sleeping. Ecuador Pink Dresses. When a girl turns 15, thereʹs a great celebration. She puts on a pink dress and her first pair of high heels and dances the waltz with her father. Fourteen girls and fourteen boys pair up and dance the waltz alongside them. England Fortune Telling Cakes. Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as itʹs being prepared. If you uncover a coin in your cake, itʹs foretelling of future riches. Mexico Piñatas. A piñata is filled with goodies and hung from the ceiling. While blindfolded, children take turns hitting it until itʹs cracked open. Russia Birthday Pies. Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian children receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust. The Philippines Blinking colored lights. Filipino families decorate with lights to show that someone is having a birthday at their home. Team Fundraiser Spotlight Fort Clarke Middle Schoolʹs National Junior Honor Society, working together with the 8th grade Student Council, has raised over $225 for the Relay For Life of SW Gainesville. The students pre sold Valentine Candy Grams to all three grade levels. The grams, consisting of a heart shaped lollipop or a stuffed animal, were delivered to students on the Thursday before Valentineʹs Day. The students have other fundraisers planned to help raise money for their Relay For Life team. The candy gram fundraiser helped these students toward reaching their goal of $1,000. Have a good fundraising idea you d like to share? E mail it to Team Development Committee Chair Eric Sorensen at esorensen11@yahoo.com. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Want to volunteer your time to the SW Gainesville Relay? Get involved now by contacting Ted Stover (tedstover@gmail.com) or Nickie Kortus (nickie.kortus@cancer.org). Did you know that you can start a team, join a team or donate money to an existing team all online? Explore our site at www.relayforlife.org/ swgainesvillefl to get started. Submit content for the next newsletter to Marketing Chair LaShaun Solomon at LaShaun.Solomon@cox.com. Stay connected to other Relay teams and volunteers on our Facebook page by searching for American Cancer Society Relay For Life 2010 Southwest Gʹville, FL.
2010 Relay For Life of SW Gainesville Fundraising and Survivorship Events Survivor Breakfast Date: Saturday, March 20 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Location: The Fat Tuscan Café 725 NE 1st St., Gainesville Join us for a delicious breakfast in honor of our local survivors and caregivers. There is no cost to attend this event. RSVP to your American Cancer Society Staff Partner Nickie Kortus by calling 352 376 6866, ext. 5062, or e mailing nickie.kortus@cancer.org. Bank Night Date: Wednesday, April 21 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Location: Sun Trust Bank 5303 SW 91st Drive, Gainesville Get Ready. Get Set. SW Relay For Life Team Bank Night is when you turn in your team money raised to date and pick up your team member shirts. Each member raising $100 may pick up their shirt at Bank Night and get the latest updates before the SW Relay begins on Friday, April 23 at 6 p.m. Come one, come all and show us your money for the cause. Weʹre the SW Relay that is fighting cancer with our hearts, minds and handbags (or wallets, if you prefer). Contact Misty Barnett via e mail (Misty.Barnett@Suntrust.com) if you have any questions about this event. Survivor Quilt Project The 2010 Southwest Gainesville Relay For Life invites you to join in the creation of a collaborative Inspirational Quilt that will inspire survivors, those who have lost a loved one and those currently battling cancer. Quilt blocks may be purchased for $25 and available until April 1. Please share your story, thoughts and inspiration as we honor those continuing the fight. All proceeds go to the SW Gainesville Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society. For more information or to make a donation, contact Nickie Kortus at (352) 376 6866, ext. 5062, or by e mail at nickie.kortus@cancer.org. Luminary Decorating Date: Saturday, April 3 Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Location: Michael s Arts and Crafts 3644 SW Archer Road, Gainesville Michael s Arts and Crafts will be donating supplies for decorating a luminary to honor your loved one. The names of those being honored will be printed on the luminary bag and will be placed around the track at Relay to be used during the Candlelight Luminary Ceremony, which honors loved ones and friends who have had cancer and those who have lost their battle. The luminary decorating event is open to the public, and there is no cost other than a donation for the purchase of a luminary. Contact Misty Barnett(Misty.Barnett@suntrust.com) or Jenifer Stover (stover.jenifer@gmail.com) if you have questions about this event.
Fish Fry Date: Wednesday, March 24 Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Forest Meadows 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville The American Cancer Society and the SW Relay are responsible for pre sales of fish lunches. Donations are accepted, with the usual amount being $5 or $10, and the proceeds will go toward the 2010 SW Relay. Make your donation in advance by contacting any Relay Committee member. Grab your office for a delicious lunch and community meet and greet. Contact Eric Sorensen via e mail (esorensen11@yahoo.com) if you have any questions about this event. Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction Date: Wednesday, April 14 Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Sweet Dreams, 3437 W. University Ave., Gainesville Purchase a cone and Sweet Dreams will donate 20 percent to the ACS. We will also have 3 5 survivors that will each create a flavor that will be available that evening. Contact Misty Barnett (Misty.Barnett@suntrust.com) if you have any questions about this event. Rummage Sale at The Atrium Date: Saturday, April 17 Time: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: The Atrium of Gainesville, 2431 NW 41st St. Visit The Atrium s annual Rummage Sale, also featuring an pet adopt a thon. The Atrium will be selling personal treasures as well as fresh baked goods. Since 100 percent of all the money raised will be given the SW Relay, let s see how much we can raise! Contact Prem Paul Murhee (paul.murhee@holidaytouch.com) if you have any questions. FORMING A RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM HOW DO YOU GET STARTED? 1. Receive a RFL presentation and viewthe RFL video, where possible 2. Recruit 8 12 people to join your team. Turn in your completed Team Registration Form (listing the contact information for your team members) OR register online at www.relayforlife.org/swgainesvillefl and submit your $100 per team registration fee. 3. Pick up your packet of information. 4. Set a team goal to raise at least $100 per team member. 5. Start fundraising: i. car washes ii. bake sales iii. dress down days iv. potluck lunches each Friday v. sell RFL moons and stars at your place of business vi. set your team goal, and if it s achieved, shave your boss head. 6. Attend all team captain meetings. 7. Turn in team money regularly. 8. Recruit survivors to attend the opening lap/celebration. 9. Have at least two team meetings to determine who will secure your tents, food, chairs, etc. 10. Attend bank night on Wednesday, April 21 to turn in team money and pick up your team member T shirts (T shirts eligible for each team member raising their $100 minimum). 11. Check in Friday, April 23 at the event. 12. Participate in event activities. 12. Encourage all team members to attend the closing ceremonies on Saturday, April 24. 13. Before you leave Saturday morning, register your team for the 2011 event. Break camp, go home and get some sleep. LET S GET READY TO RELAY!
A Special Thanks to Our 2010 Teams & Corporate Sponsors American Cancer Society Board, Team Captain Margaret Friend Jackson Stoneworks, Team Captain Jack Royals Walgreens, Team Captain Tim Brightman State Attorneyʹs and Public Defenderʹs Office, Team Captain Lua Mellman Haile Raisers, Team Captain Karen Woolfstead Alachua County Emerging Leaders (ACEL), Team Captain Candice Noble Ft. Clarke National Junior Honor Society, Team Captain Jessica Leeman Town & Country Veterinarians, Team Captain Heidi Tomlin Team Nancy (Desmond), Team Captain Marilyn Dietz Team Name TBD, Team Captain Ashley Trippe Daisy Scouts, Team Captain Marcela Bayard North Florida Radiation Oncology Tumor raders, Team Captain Eric Sorensen Cancer Crashers, Team Captain Deborah Ellis Rock with Orange and Roll with Blue, Team Captain Amara Barnett Kevin & Ann Shortelle 2010 Track Marker Sponsors American Cancer Society 2119 SW 16th St. Gainesville, FL 32608