Relay for Life continues prep

THOMPSON FALLS – Sanders County Relay for Life is already prepping for the organization’s big summer event in Sanders County.

The 2015 Relay For Life, which is currently scheduled to take place on the evening of July 31, in Thompson Falls will be a little different from Relay For Life events of previous years but will still emphasize supporting the fight against cancer.

According to Danielle Wood of Thompson Falls the Relay for Life committee has decided to transition from a 12-hour relay to a six-hour event.

In past years the county’s Relay For Life rally was an overnight event stretching from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning.

The 2015 event will run for six hours, with the relay stating at 6 p.m. and running until midnight.

“We hope people stay through the entirety of this year’s Relay,” Wood said.

Wood said the committee’s main reason for switching to a six-hour relay was part of a concentrated effort to draw more people in and attract more support from groups and individuals all over Sanders County.

She noted it can be difficult for participants to commit to an overnight event and the new time frame should boost participation at this year’s Relay For Life.

“We want to draw more people in this year,” Wood said.

The Relay For Life committee hopes to attract 25 teams to this year’s event and raise $33,000 for the fight against cancer.

Last year 16 teams attended the event hosted at Thompson Falls High School.

In addition, Wood stated the committee was hoping to have 50 survivors attend the 2015 Relay.

Even with the changes planned for this July’s Relay For Life, the event will hold similarities to previous county relays.

There will still be events held on the hour throughout the evening to keep up the intensity of the event and at the beginning of the Relay there will be a special reception for survivors.

As of now there are plans to once again utilize the sale of Famous Dave’s dinners as a fundraiser.

Famous Dave’s has proved to be a popular addition to the Relay in the past and last year over 250 dinners were sold, raising well over $1,000.

There will also be a pizza party at the conclusion of the night’s festivities at midnight, and a celebration of the night’s highest fundraiser.

Awards will also be rewarded for the best-decorated area created by participants at the relay.

To show support for the fight against cancer, to drum up support for the Relay and to raise funds for the summer rally a Purple-Out event was held at Thompson Falls High School during the basketball games between Thompson Falls and Plains on Jan. 8.

There is another Purple-Out planned for February when Thompson Falls takes on Noxon at Thompson Falls High School.  

Away from the basketball court a Purple-Out is also scheduled to take place at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains on March 5.

Attendees are encouraged to wear purple to these events.

In order to plan for the changes this year’s Relay For Life will bring the county’s committee has met early and often.

“The committee got a much early start than normal. They got started in last September,” Wood said.

The Relay for Life committee holds monthly meetings in preparation for the July Relay and the next meeting is scheduled to take place at the state offices in Thompson Falls on February, 9 at 6 p.m.