I am really having a tough time trying to decide whether or not to continue with our Relay on June 21/22.
Our town of Columbus, Indiana was greatly effected by floods this past Saturday. There are neighborhoods that are completely destroyed including mine. However out of the whole neighborhood mine and 2 other houses suffered only damage in garages and shed. We are very very fortunate however the rest of the houses around me are suffering.
Anyways the reason I write. Our Relay is still set to go on as schedualed. I am having a hard time with it as is a few of my team members. How can we ask for money when so many have just lost everything?
My team has raised about $1700, not even close to our goal of $5000. And right now I really don't even care about the goal. I would like to be able to just go out, walk, have fun "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back". I don't want to worry about Theme designs, selling anything.
I really just don't know what to do. Any suggestions?
I have walked your shoes so I do know where you are coming from. our town was hit by flood waters in janurary and then again 2 weeks later. it left about half of our town of 5000 homeless and not knowing what to do. I have been a chair person for our relay for 3 years now and had to personally decide what I would do this year. although my family's house wasnt personally effected it did effect us because of what friends and family were going through and it impacted on our jobs as well. We had our 1st committee meeting shortly after the flood and I brought up the fact that I wasn't comfertable asking our community for money. I know cancer doesn't stop, but it is a hard situation. We came to the conclusion that we would wave all signup fees for the teams and make this years relay not about a monitary goal, but about the celebration of those who have beat cancer and the memory of those who have not. we would come together as a community and embrase each other. not one time did we put a monitary goal out there and we did not ecourage fundraising we left it to the individual those who wanted to do something did and those who just need to be there and be supported were. we only raised about half of what we have raised in the past and attendance was down but we were thier for those who wanted to be a part of it all. We had one team that did do fundraising and split her contributions between the flood and the acs she just had to tell everyone upfront that is what she was doing not to miss lead them were the money was going. I wish you and your community the best and enjoy yourselves for one evening because it will be along time befor things are normal again
Hi Michelle, I live in Celina, Ohio and we would be more than happy to come and help you if there is anything we can do. Just let me know. Good luck! Brenda Severns chairperson of The Relay For Life Of Mercer County.
Our comittee met today and has decided to postpone the Relay until probably August. So many people just are not into it, and simply don't feel right about it. Now I think when August hit's we'll just go out, and have a great time and have a party type setting..
keep going! If the Columbus Relay is anything like the Orange County, IN event, most of the fundraising is already done and the event day is a time of Celebration and a way to encourage community involvement. Keep going! Cancer doesn't stop for natural disasters. Maybe it would be a good for the community to have a break from flood clean-up, and to participate in an event meant to bring the community together and foster hope. Whatever you decide, good luck!
Why not add a new dimension to your Relay this year with a community yardsale. The fortunate can donate and the less fortunate can pay as little as a dime for something they need. Not as much money but it serves as a 2 fold blessing. 1- The receiver does not feel like its charity and 2- the giver knows they are doing something for their community, neighbors and friends.
Even if you didn't raise another dime for this relay year, you must go on with your event. Please remember why you relay, and what relay means for you and your team. Go to your event with great thankfulness that you and your family are alive and well. Go to relay have fun, celebrate what is right with world, remember those you have lost and most importantly fight back. Best of luck with your event.
I am actually in Indy this week, and spent the day in Greenwood helping out at a store that was affected by the flood. I would not cancel Relay, but I definitely would eliminate or greatly reduce any emphasis on fundraising at this point. The ACS will understand the circumstances and appreciate the fact that you continued on. The meaningful moments for your Relay should just be that a group of people are gathered together for one night to (like you said) Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back.
Just my two cents...I agree with Jason. I think fundraising should not be the important thing now, just remembering those you've lost and celebrating with those that are winning and those that have won! Anything that your teams have brought in to date will be more than what would have been brought in had you not had a Relay at all. And who knows? Maybe you'll still make money at Relay! Best of luck to you and your entire community!!
I am hopeful that you are getting close to your rescheduled relay. Let us know how it turned out. You've gotten lots of good suggestions here. If I would have read this sooner - I would have voted to have it, but communicate that Relay is more than just fundraising. You could even solicit the local news to interview you about it and share that with the community.
I LOVE the idea about the yard sale. I'm sure there are people who weren't affected by the flood that would like to donate items - especially if someone else could benefit immediately.
Joined: 2008-03-10