CAN MEMBERSHIPS … Mandi McClain was busy getting people signed up for CAN (Cancer Action Network which lobbies for cancer research and childhood cancer action) memberships at her table at the 2021 Relay for Life Kick Off, as it is a sister of the Relay for Life. Mandi’s brother passed away in 2014 with Leukemia, so she has become a Fundraiser in memory of him, naming the team “Team Marshall” in his honor. (PHOTOS BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
In 2020, the Relay for Life teams in Williams County enjoyed a lively and scrumptious Kick-off with a Soup Cooking Contest in which those in attendance voted on the soups by placing money in a jar next to the soups they liked best. Of course the money went to Relay for Life and the winners had the joy of helping.
Not even a month after that Kick off, the country was shut down due to the beginning of the COVID Pandemic. The Relay was not held physically in 2020, as in the past, thus damaging the fund raising efforts of the American Cancer Society in a huge way.
During 2020 the Society raised half of what it normally does, cutting what they usually give to Cancer Awareness and Research groups.
This year, there were (delicious!) pre-wrapped cookies on a table as people left the 2021 Relay for Life Kick-off, but no fanfare or large gathering.
Team Captains were invited to stop by the First Brethren Church for an Open House Style Kick off, in Bryan on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2021 to pick up their Fundraising packets.
They could also sign up for other opportunities, get to chat with those in charge, and meet the new Fund Raising Chair person, John Cupps. This new position was created to assist Team Captains in coming up with great Fund Raising ideas that don’t involve large gatherings of people.
Mr. Cupps is putting together fund raising ideas and packets for all of the teams, suggesting things like Detergent Sales or Pizza Sales.
Last year the teams were frustrated as they were unable to have their big events that bring in a lot of money, so he will be helping them to get even more creative than they did in 2020. “We will be doing things that might have never been considered,” Karla Batt said.
KARLA BATT … When a Team Captain gets their packet, which is seen here, held by Karla Batt who is the Senior Development Manager of the the Northwest Region of Ohio for the American Cancer Society, it is full of helpful items. Batt was not only giving out packets but was available for questions and visiting at the 2021 Relay for Life Kick Off on March 2, 2021. The packet has a paper explaining the three ways to register for Relay for Life; sign up forms to have a Luminaria in the Ceremony; Virtual Fundraising A-Z; a page to give to someone who might be interested in becoming a Team Captain; info about the 2021 t-shirts; two ACS Scratch-n-Give cards; guidelines for How to Recruit and Engage a Terrific team; the ABC’s of Fundraising; how to join a relay; and much more! Team Captains are given a ton of assistance, so be sure to consider jumping in to become one.
Mrs. Karla Batt is the Senior Development Manager of the the Northwest Region of Ohio for the American Cancer Society. She is a staff partner for the Relay for Life, who helps recruit and organize the volunteers.
Mrs. Batt is thrilled that so many people have stepped up to join the creativity frenzy on behalf of Cancer Awareness.
“We may not be able to hold ‘normal’ Relay for Life Fund Raisers,” she said, “but the Team captains and their members are still joining the fight against cancer.”
The good news is that they DO plan to hold the Relay for Life this year on August 13 at the Williams County Fairgrounds if it is allowed! Mrs. Batt said that the details will be decided and announced closer to the date.
COVID may have shut things down, but it also caused a great amount of creativity to be stirred up. People everywhere began finding creative ways to keep doing what needed to be done. The Relay for Life teams were no different.
They began to get very creative in finding ways to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against cancer. Mr. Cupps is looking forward to helping coordinate that creativity this year, gathering ideas and spreading the word amongst the teams.
Not only will they be getting assistance and guidance from John Cupps, but they get a full page in their packet from the American Cancer Society of lists of Virtual, Digital and Physically Distant fund raising ideas.
In September 2020 a Virtual Luminaria Ceremony was held , but this year they are planning to hold a real one again. It is scheduled for August 13, 2021, the day of the Relay for Life, at the Williams County Fairgrounds, beginning at dusk.
For information or to get a Luminaria Donation Form contact Rachel Garcia at rachel0825@outlook.com.
Other creative ideas used to raise funds for the Relay for Life were numerous throughout the different teams in Williams County. Mrs. Batt did one called The 25 Days of Christmas in which friends and family donated an item that someone else might like to own.
She sold raffle tickets for $5 each or six for $25 during the months coming up to Christmas.
Then in December, each day she drew a ticket and that person got one of the items she had collected. She was able to raise a good amount with that fundraiser and is hoping someone will do a Christmas in July fundraiser.
Mrs. Batt is also very involved in bringing the fund raiser called Real Men Wear Pink, men fighting breast cancer, to this area. Check that out on FaceBook at Real Men Wear Pink of Northwest Ohio or google realmenwearpinkofnorthwestohio.
Her goal is $50,000 and if each one of the men who participate sets their goal for $25,000 it will go way over. As the men sign up, there will be a pic and a bio on the website.
The primary focus of the American Cancer Society is Fund raising. “Last year we, here in Williams County, were $100,000 under goal because when we didn’t have the event it threw people off,” Batt said.
“COVID really affected cancer patients and their families. Sadly we do expect a spike in the next few years, especially of prostate, breast and colon cancers, because people didn’t go for screenings during COVID. They were afraid to go.”
The goal this year for Relay for Life is $80,000 and they have already raised $15,000 of that. Usually the Relay for Life raises around $180,000 in Williams County but last year they raised 78,000.
“Many of the Corporate donations didn’t come in last year,” Batt said, adding, “Chase Brass still sent their $10,000 and we are hoping the other corporations will join us again.”
Batt explained that they are encouraging the Relay for Life Teams to do year round fund raising with the event in the fall being the culmination, before they start again for the next year.
For information on how to become a Team leader and raise funds to fight cancer, or to make a donation, go to the website relayforlife.org/williamscounty and/or the facebook page with the same name. Any fundraising will be listed in both of those places for community members to support the teams.
RELAY FOR LIFE SURVIVOR DINNER … Vickie Sprow (left) and Cindi Zigler, co-chairs of the Survivor Dinner for Williams County, were at the Relay for Life Kick Off night, giving out information for those who might want to attend the dinner. This year they hope to hold it on July 29, 2021 at JJ Winns in Holiday City. “That is tentative,” Zigler said, “as we do not yet have a Corporate Sponsor who will cover the cost of the dinner. Those who attend are the survivors and caregivers. Winns charges per person and we need a sponsor. We are asking and looking to find that sponsor.” Key for a Cure is their Team name and one of the ways they raise funds is to take donations for Root Beer Floats and Popcorn at the Bryan Cruise- In, on Thursday nights. This team has been going for 15 years and usually raises around $6000. They were able to raise $5000 in 2020.
If you have a favorite team, those places will have the Teams, captains and participants who have signed up. Mandi McClain, who was there working a table, said that one good thing that has come out of covid is that the Fund Raising App has been greatly improved.
Relay for Life is in desperate need of Event Leadership team members who will join with the ones we already have,” Mrs. Batt also shared.
Specific positions that need to be filled are a Relay for Life Committee Chair Person or Co-Chairperson, a Sponsorship Chairperson, an Entertainment Chairperson, a Logistics Chairperson, and a Ceremonies Chairperson.
Each one of these positions has a specific job description. Call and let them know if you are up for helping. It is never too late to start a team.
Contact Karla at 419-439-2746. karla.batt@cancer.org. And don’t forget to get registered for Relay for Life at www.RelayForLife.org/williamscounty.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
