GWIL2014 Nonprofit Profile: Meet Relay for Life

Week of Online Giving:
April 20-25, 2014

The 2014 Givin’ Where I’m Livin’ (GWIL) campaign provides support and publicity for local non-profit charitable organizations competing for GWIL matching funds during the campaign’s Week of Online Giving, April 20-25th.

Around Dripping Springs is pleased to feature this series of GWIL non-profit profiles to help publicize their unique missions to the community. We invite you to get to know these wonderful organizers and learn more about the important work they are each doing to enrich our community. Please share their stories, and be sure to donate to your favorite during the Week of Online Giving! Learn more at: http://www.GivinWhereImLivin.org

NOW MEET RELAY FOR LIFE-DRIPPING SPRINGS WITH EVENT CHAIR, VICKI KURHAJEC:

WHEN, HOW, AND WHY WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOUNDED?

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life was started in 1985 by Gordy Klatt, who ran a marathon at his local high school track for a friend who was fighting cancer. The next year 300 people joined him and as they say, the rest is history. Today, Relay For Life takes place in 5,400 communities throughout the US and in 21 countries worldwide. It is actually a walk, not a race or run, and takes place all night because “Cancer Never Sleeps.” Teams are formed and members take turns walking the track throughout the evening in honor of or in memory of a person in the community. The idea is to have someone from your team on the track all night in support of that person(s).

Teams raise money from January until the event in May of each year. The Dripping Springs Relay For Life was started in 2003.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY MISSION AND WHAT NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY DO YOU SERVE?

Relay For Life raises money for all cancers. Most importantly, a significant portion (27%) of the money we raise through Relay for Life stays in our local communities to provide cancer fighting services such as free transportation to and from cancer treatments, free lodging for families of cancer patients at HOPE lodges throughout the U.S., Reach to Recovery which provides free mentoring assistance for breast cancer patients and the 1-800 number which provides 24/7 assistance to people throughout the world with their cancer needs. There are many more services that ACS is able to provide because of the funds we raise through Relay For Life.

WHAT ARE YOUR PRIMARY GOALS IN 2014? WHAT EVENTS WILL YOU BE DOING THIS YEAR?

Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 for the fight against cancer. Our key Relay events this year are:

March 21, 2014 – Paint the Town Purple Day – all Dripping Springs citizens and businesses and Relay teams are encouraged to wear purple, display purple balloons, host a purple boot for donations in their place of business or have a fundraising event for Relay For Life.

March 23, 2014 – Community Kick Off Event – 5-8 pm Nutty Brown Café. Clay McClinton will provide this year’s entertainment. There will be a silent auction featuring team baskets, a luminaria booth, Givin Cancer the Boot t-shirt sales, a survivor booth and more!

April 13, 2014 – Survivor Dinner – Star Hill Ranch – Survivors and their Caregivers are invited to join us for a beautiful dinner featuring one of our HOPE speakers, prizes and fellowship.

May 3, 2014 – Relay For Life Event – 6 PM – 6 AM Dripping Springs Ranch Park Rodeo Arena. There will be music, food, team tents, fundraising booths, Zumba, Midnight Pizza, Community Tug-Of-War and many more fun events.

HOW CAN FOLKS CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION TO DONATE OR VOLUNTEER YEAR-ROUND?

Visit online at www.relayforlife.org/drippingspringstx.

Call Vicki Kurhajec, Event Chair, at (512) 789-6160 or by email at vkurhajec@gmail.com

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