‘Relay for Quay’ to benefit teacher who lost home
A weekend 5K race will raise funds for a Cape Coral teacher who lost her home in a fire.
The Relay for Quay will kick off on Saturday at 8 a.m. at Cape Coral High School, with on-site registration starting at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $10, with online registration also available.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Dianna Quay, a 17-year teacher at the school.
“The day after the hurricane, after Irma, her generator blew up and set the whole house on fire,” Assistant Principal Troy Beall said, adding that Quay and her son were home at the time.
“They, literally, ran out of the house with the clothes on their backs,” he said.
Beall noted that the family has been living out of a hotel since the fire.
Quay is one of the business teachers at Cape High.
“She teaches the IB program. She’s the Young Entrepreneurs Club sponsor,” he said, adding that Quay is the SADD Club advisor. “She’s very connected with the students and very involved in the school.”
Senior Mia Glickman approached the school’s administration about doing something to help.
Mia explained that Quay has been one of her teachers since her sophomore year.
“I run track and cross country,” she said. “I’ve seen how effective races are in raising money.”
And the 5K fundraiser was created.
“I felt it was something the whole community could take part in,” Mia said.
The fundraiser will consist of just the race, no raffles or extras.
“We’re going to keep it real basic,” she said. “The route – you cut across the track and, essentially, most of the race goes around the perimeter of the school.”
Ribbons will be awarded to the top male and top female in each age group.
The three age groups are 12 and under, 13 to 18, and 19 and over.
As of Thursday, about 55 people had registered.
“My original goal was $500, but we’ve exceeded that,” Mia said, adding that the event had raised approximately $1,000 and that her goal of registering 50 participants had also been reached.
“The support we’ve gotten from the community throughout the journey has been amazing,” she said. “I’m excited to see how many more we can bring in.”
At the start of the 5K, Quay will sit on a golf cart and lead the front runners.
“Kind of like the pace car in NASCAR,” Beall said.
The school’s cross country team, JROTC cadets and others will be helping out on Saturday.
“This is a school-wide event,” he said. “There are several people taking part.”
For those interested in supporting the event without participating, donations are being accepted.
“We’ve actually had people just donate,” Beall said. “They just sent checks in.”
Mia encouraged the community to show its support.
“Ms. Quay has done so much for our community and so much for our school, it’s our time to give back to her,” she said.
To register online, visit cch.leeschools.net and click on “Relay for Quay.”
Cape Coral High School is at 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd.