Beach Relay rakes in $82,000 and rising
Relay For Life of Fort Myers Beach is still collecting funds to wipe out cancer and is eyeing the loftiest goal in its seven-year history. This year, 20 teams, officials and organizers have collected more than $82,000 … well past the ACS’s 2010 goal of $76,000. It’s now inching closer to Beach Event Chairman Eric Tibbs goal of $100,000 with $82,000 and counting.
“We’ve reached the American Cancer Society’s goal, and now we’re on our way to please Eric and present him with what he expects from us,” said FMB Relay For Life Team Development Chair Mary Cartwright, who stated that Beach Relay has at least until the end of April and possibly longer to reach that mark. “Until they say our books are closed, we’ll keep sending in money.”
Cartwright, who helps with guidance, motivation, education and setting up team party meetings, believes the goal is attainable with a little assistance. American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, known as the world’s largest not-for-profit fundraising event, has community fundraising events in most every U.S. state and 20 foreign countries. Relay is the signature event of ASC by raising 90 percent of the money that supports it.
“I wanted to push our teams and the committee to get out and interact with more of the community to raise money, which is what happened,” said Tibbs. “We participated in more festivals and got a whole lot more exposure about what we were doing than in past years. I think more of the community saw what we were doing and got behind us. We had less sponsors this year than in the past, to the tune of about $10,000 less in sponsorship money from some of the local businesses.”
The down economy is not squashing the spirits of Beach Relay officials and team members, though. Participation was at an all-time high for the Beach fundraiser, according to Tibbs.
“We would like to thank all those who donated their time and efforts to make this one of the best years ever,” he said. “We had more participation from the community at the actual Relay and more teams than ever. We will be having a wrap-up party in the coming weeks which everyone on the island is invited to attend, as we will be recognizing some of the outstanding individuals and teams for their fund-raising efforts before and at the event.”
The 2010 Beach Relay event, which took place March 20 at the Holiday Inn, was more family-oriented during the 18-hour span with activities like health/fitness participations, a dance party, bingo, night movies and nonstop kids activities sponsored by the Kiwanis kids, a service organization for elementary students sponsored by Kiwanis International.
“We can thank Eric for that,” said Cartwright. “He really wanted to engage the kids because he is heavily involved with the K-kids program as a sponsor. Our activities chairperson, Mariann Griffin, is a former teacher so she knows how to handle the entertainment end. She did just a fantastic job.”
One recent contribution came from the Coldwell Banker Residential Cares Foundation, which donated $500 to Beach Relay on behalf of Coldwell Banker employee Sheila O’Connor, who was involved in the fundraising event. The Cypress Lake High School Student Government team was mostly aided by O’Connor’s son, Michael O’Connor, who Sheila said did most of the fundraising for the squad.
If anyone is interested in having the Beach Relay Committee reach that lofty goal, please contact Tibbs at 463-0164 or stop by his Edward Jones Office in Santini Plaza. You can also visit other participating businesses such as Hot Headz Salon, the Beach Barber, One Flight Up or the Beach Pier-Side Grill or contact one of the team members (such as Cartwright of Team Chapel by the Sea at 463-1094 or Publicity Chair Rose Loudermilk of Team Loudermilk at 233-8161) or call ACS Beach Staff Partner Audra Holowesko at 936-1113 (ext. 3903).
“It is amazing the commitment this beach community shows to this event each year and a great big thanks to all the participants, team captains and committee members who spend countless hours and hard earned dollars working to put an end to cancer,” said Tibbs.