Countdown to Relay For Life of Paulding County: One Month to Go!

Submitted by Jon Gargis

Dozens of Paulding County schools, businesses, churches and other groups are gearing up for next month’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life event in Dallas.

In all, more than 70 teams have signed up to raise money in the fight against cancer, and so far, they’ve raised more than $55,000. That number will increase in the days leading up to and following May 16-17’s Relay event, which will take place at Veterans Park, currently under construction in front of the Watson Government Complex in Dallas. Relay For Life of Paulding County is set to be the first major event to be held at the park.

Many teams in attendance will continue their fundraising efforts during the event or commence on-site fundraising projects. The public is invited to attend and their support of their Relay teams of choice is welcomed. Team fundraisers include food and drink sales, so attendees who bring their appetites will be able to purchase snacks and even full meals. Other team fundraisers include raffles, novelty items sales and more.

Relay participants and other attendees will be able to enjoy Veterans Park’s many amenities, including an amphitheater, half-mile trail, restroom facilities and more. The park is serving as the site of Relay For Life of Paulding County after being held at White Oak Park in Dallas the previous two years. Prior to that, the event was held at Paulding County High School.

Relay For Life’s opening ceremonies will commence the evening of Friday, May 16, with the event continuing untilSaturday morning, May 17. In addition to teams’ fundraising efforts, events scheduled for throughout the event include live music, a luminaria ceremony and other activities into the night and until Relay’s closing ceremonies.

More than 750 community members so far have signed up to take part in the two-day event, and throughout the entirety of Relay, there will always at least a handful of participants walking on the trail. Having at least one team member walking at all times underlines one of the main reasons why individuals and teams take part in Relay For Life: “Cancer Never Sleeps.” Members of the public who have not started or joined a Relay team are welcome to join team members in walking around the track to show their support for those in the fight against cancer.

For more information on Relay For Life of Paulding County, visit www.relayforlife.org/pauldingga or visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pauldingcountyrelay.