Relay For Life a flop

Relay was held on Saturday, May 16, from noon to midnight. Only 100 people attended during the course of the 12 hour event. Less than $20,000 has been raised. I realize that there were local yard sales and a kite festival was going on at the same time, but why didn’t folks come to Relay after? Really, I want to know…. why didn’t they come? Did they not know about it? Did they choose not to attend and if so, why? What can be done differently?
Relay has no advertising budget. None, zip, zilch. We are all volunteers. Most of us have families and jobs and choose to balance it all. We have to rely on community members to help us get the word out and help to make the event a success. Our numbers have dwindled drastically. I actually heard someone say that the novelty has worn off. Wow, really?! Cancer has not been cured, we can’t give up.
Relay is not a race, it’s a celebration. Relay has games, music, food and fun. Relay is not an event where we sit around and cry, we celebrate. We celebrate the memories of the loved ones we’ve lost to cancer. We celebrate our survivors. We share stories, walk and play. Tears may be shed, but we smile through them.
Relay day may be over, but fundraising continues through August. Salem United Methodist Church’s team is having a Zumbathon on June 6 at the church for only $10. The Mighty Fighting Flucos are holding a team fundraiser at Trump Winery on June 18. There is still a chance to help and donations can still be made online, too www.relayforlife.org/fluvannava
What more can we do?