The planning process for Hartselle’s annual Relay for Life event in April was kicked off on Oct. 2 with a “Ropin’ A Cure” celebration at Hartselle Church of Christ.

Committee members Chairwoman Shawna Fincher, Krisee Terry, Tonya Parker and Lisa Demastus provided volunteers information on how to organize relay teams and plan and implement successful fundraisers. Cancer survivors also shared their testimonies.

Beth Tutwiler. American Cancer Society spokeswoman for Morgan County, directed team captains on team member signup and the organization process.

Fincher reported that the 2012 Relay event raised $97,243, of which more than $16,000 came from the Relay for Life event at J. P. Cain Stadium and more than $5,000 was attributed to summer fundraisers. The Relay consisted of 36 teams, representing various families. Businesses, churches, schools and community organizations.

“We’re excited about getting off to a good start,” Fincher said, “We have 12 to 16 teams signed up and our goal is to have 42 to 45 teams. “We want this year’s Relay to be bigger and better than ever with a goal of $105,000.”

“Some teams have already begun fundraising activities,” she added, “and we are planning to have Relay volunteers at the Park & Recreation Department’s annual Rummage Sale at Sparkman Civic Center on Nov 2-3. They will be taking donations and selling Relay T-shirts, luminaries, lanterns and other items.”

Relay teams singled out for special recognition at the kickoff meeting are listed as follows: Most Money Raised by Adult Team, Dynamic Dippers (4th year in a row), $10,619; Most Money Raised by Youth Team, Hartselle High School, $10,173; Spirit Award, Team Tigers; Elementary School, F.E. Burleson Elementary.

Other award winners were: Jade (raised over $10,000), Hartselle High School and Dynamic Dippers; Platinum (raised over $7,500), Keenum Krusaders; Gold (raised over $5,000(, ILPEA; Silver (raised over $3,500), Hartselle Church of Christ, Joshua 1:9, Team Bulldogs and Team Tigers; Bronze (raised over $2,500), Flint Church of Christ; Rising Stars (raised over $1,000), Annie’s Cancer Crushers, BRAC Park, FBI, F.E. Burleson Elementary, First United Methodist Church, Grace Group, H-Town Boys, Peck-Glaspow, Pink Panthers, Steps for Stephanie, and West Hartselle Baptist Church.

Hartselle’s Relay was organized in 2006 and has generated more than $500,000 for cancer research. Since 1995 the Relay movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising more than $5 billion to fight cancer.

If interested in organizing a team or becoming a team, please contact Fincher at 256-227-5510, email shanna3382@charter.net or Parker at 256-345-7474.

What is a Relay event?

•Organized, overnight fundraising walk

•Teams of people take turns walking around the track

•Food, games and activities provide entertainment and build camaraderie

•Family-friendly environment for the entire community