By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
A total of $42,000 has been raised so far for this year’s Relay for Life of Rowan County.
That includes corporate sponsorships, donations and registrations, according to Mary Knapp, publicity chairwoman for the Rowan County Relay for Life Committee.
The goal for this year’s fundraiser, scheduled for May 1-2, is $405,000, Knapp said. Last year’s Rowan Relay for Life raised $402,558.19 for the American Cancer Society, placing third in the state for the amount raised on a per capita basis and 21st in the nation.
So far, Knapp said, 67 teams have registered for this year’s fundraiser. Last year, 94 teams participated in the two-day event, and she said the committee is hoping for at least 112 teams this year.
A team meeting will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 200 W. Innes St. The focus of the meeting, postponed from last Tuesday night due to the snow, is “Putting the Fun in Fundraising.”
Knapp said the committee will have information on Relay for Life materials that teams can sell. “They have a new type of bracelet this year,” she said, “and we have the purple bows for ‘Paint the County Purple Day,’ which will be May 1, the day of the Relay.”
Teams can get a lot of ideas by attending the monthly Relay meetings, Knapp said. The committee tries to keep the meetings short, and a barbecue sandwich and tea will be provided by Checkered Flag Barbecue of South Main Street. “This is their eighth year doing that,” she said.
Also at the meeting, team leaders will be able to go ahead and sign up for a campsite for the Relay at the Rowan County Fairgrounds.
“They can also let us know what they plan to do as their fundraisers,” Knapp said, “so we can check and see if we already have two teams doing a certain fundraiser.”
Teams can also get help from the committee in publicizing their fundraisers, she said.
Those planning to attend Tuesday night’s meeting are asked to call Tisha Goodwin, chairwoman of the Rowan Relay for Life Committee, at 704-640-3463 or the Charlotte office of the American Cancer Society at 1-866-ACS-2345.
Coming up this Saturday, the Sweet Potato Queens will be hosting a homemade chicken and noodle dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Organ Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 1515 Organ Church Road. Tickets are $6 and $3 for children ages 3 and under.
In addition to chicken and noodles, the meal will include slaw, crackers, pickles, homemade desserts and a drink. Hot dogs will also be available.
All proceeds will go to Rowan County Relay for Life.
The annual Survivor and Caregiver Dinner hosted by Relay for Life of Rowan has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. at the Hurley Family YMCA on Jake Alexander Boulevard.
Registration is required. For more information, or to register, call 704-633-8698, e-mail jlmessick@gmail.com or call 1-866-ACS-2345 toll-free.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.