On Saturday, August 5, the “Relay for Life” Organization held an annual event to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). The fundraiser/car show took place at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington. While fundraisers are held throughout the year by various Relay for Life teams, this particular event is a combined effort to put together a large donation for the ACS.
The hours-long event —that not only helps to raise money for cancer research, but also celebrates cancer survivors— featured several vendors, dancers from A1 Studios, and was kindly sponsored by the City of Covington who also provided the band “The Kings.” “The Kings” is a popular band from Roanoke and, as it says on their web page, “these guys play everything.” Their song list includes Michal Jackson’s “PYT,” The Tempations’ “My girl,” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” among others.
Covington City’s generosity in both sponsoring the event and providing “The Kings,” allowed “Relay for Life” to have minimal expenses, thus giving them the opportunity to donate more money towards cancer research. As such, they set their goal on hitting $30,000 for this event. To date, that goal has been nearly met.
The Virginian Review spoke to both John Sprouse, one of the organizers of the event, and Andrea Mundy, this year’s “Relay for Life” committee chair for Alleghany. Both Sprouse and Mundy were happy to share the details of the event’s success. According to Mundy, the “Car Show” (which was part of the “Relay for Life” fundraiser) raised $720, while the others collectively raised a whopping $27,448, for a grand total thus far of $28,448. Sprouse says that “money is still coming in, so that number could always change,” and that locals are still welcome to send in donations to help them meet their ambitious, but very reachable goal.
Mundy shared more about the event and how their many teams cleverly raised money throughout the year. Some teams held yard sales and raffles; A1 Dance Studios hosted a hot dog fundraiser; A1 also did a food drive, as did the Fincastle Baptist Church Youth Group. Together, they were able to donate over 1,000 pounds of food for the event; there was another fundraiser known as “Basket Alley” that began in May. “Basket Alley” consisted of several different types of baskets which were put together and then donated by the teams. That fundraiser alone raised $1,998. According to Mundy, “It [basket alley] started earlier and transitioned through different businesses to sell chances and then was part of the relay as well.” Basket winners were all announced at the “Relay for Life” event this past Saturday.
For those who wish to help “Relay for Life” hit the $30,000 that they are currently only $1,552 shy of, please visit www.relayforlife.org/alleghanyva or mail your donation to the American Cancer Society at 532 Allen Branch Rd. Eagle Rock Virginia, 24085.