Anyone do Relay for Life?

firefightersgal · January 2009

My mom is an organizer for our local Relay for Life. She recruited me this year not only to sing, but to also be a team captain. Oy. I'm going to put a sign up sheet at the high school to try to get a team of teachers together. (Apparently, there used to be one every year, but the person that organized them quit).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

AngelaSue · January 2009

I've done the Relay for Life the last two years. I'm on my mom's team. She's our Captain, also a colon cancer survivor, which makes it even more meaningful for us each year. Our team is always DH and I, My sister, my two step-sis's., My Grandma, my Aunt, two of my mom's best friends from High School, she never has a problem getting a team together.

I don't really have any suggestions for you. Last year was the first year that DH joined our team and he had a great time at the event. We'll continue to do it every year until she decides to no longer do it.

JillShari · January 2009

I did for many years. The best way to get people and donations is to send out a personal letter about your story (your connection to cancer) and how it has affected you.....how nearly everyone is effected somehow and saying to contact you for info about this amazing event!

Also, it is so much more fun any effort you can put into it..... organizing team fundraisers like bake sales etc., coming up with a neat team name and then either T-shirts or something to dress up as to make you all look more like a team.

I don't know when your relay is, but we were successful with a fundraiser at the event of lemon peppermint sticks....we got a box of lemons donated as well as the large peppermint sticks and sold them for $1 or 2 and we made a ton of money that night.

The main thing is.... keep asking and keep talking about it. It will pique someone's interest and then you have to remember to keep it fun and not like doing a chore.....take whatever time, donations etc. you can get.

aulrobbri · January 2009

We have a Relay For Life team at my school and it is very successful. I know you would have to get your principal's approval but our students get very involved. We sell stuff, have bake sales, and the classes compete to raise money. The teachers also get to wear jeans on certain days close to the Relay event and have to pay money to do so.

CubbyMama · January 2009

I've been our school's team captain for the past few years. Getting people involved is definitely the biggest challenge! I've bought Starbucks gift cards, or gotten the teacher store to donate gift certificates, and then raffled them off at staff meetings to people who sign up then and there (and I send out an email or make an announcement a few days ahead of time so people know to bring their checkbooks for the registration fee).

We also have a poster in the lounge where I add the names of the teachers who have joined, so that keeps reminding those who haven't and makes for some "peer pressure."

There are Relay for Life promo videos available on YouTube that you could show to give people an idea of what the event is all about and what it's like.

Our system is to get as many people signed up and fundraising as possible (we also do a Silent Auction, a giant yard sale, and a few other fundraisers as a school), and to worry about scheduling people to walk the shifts near the very end. If you don't get someone to cover every single shift, no one will know or punish you, but committing to walk is the part that keeps some people from joining, so make sure they know they can raise money and be a part of the team even if they can't attend the event. GL!

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