Relay For Life of Boyertown is slated for June 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the community park on Madison Street. Teams, survivors, sponsors, and volunteers are currently being sought for the 2016 event.
Jim Davidheiser, event organizer and member of the Jay Walkers, says relay is now actively seeking teams. There are currently 34 teams registered, the goal is to beat last year’s total of 44. “A team can be a couple of people or a dozen people,” he said. “There’s no minimum, and no fees. The goal is to raise funds and awareness.”
This year’s theme is 365 Holidays of Hope. Each team can choose a holiday to represent during Relay, it does not need to be a traditional holiday and duplications are permitted.
Monthly meetings are held at Good Shepherd Church, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave. Upcoming meeting dates include April 11, May 9, and June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Committee meetings begin at 7:45 p.m. Anyone interested to learn more about Relay For Life is encouraged to attend.
“Businesses can sponsor, form teams, or volunteer,” said Amy Miller, Senior Community Manager for Relay For Life – East Central Division. “It’s about getting the word out to new people and getting the community there. It’s a community event, it’s not just teams.”
Davidheiser emphasized that attendees are not required to run – or walk – they can simply show up to visit.
This is the third year Boyertown Community Park will serve as the event’s venue.
The Survivors Lap will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, to be followed by Survivors should register to take part in the event ahead of time. Organizers encourage anyone who is a survivor or knows a survivor to take part.
The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9:15 p.m. Lumarinias can also be purchased in advance – this year’s goal is to sell 1,000 to beat last year’s 800.
Boyertown’s net fund raising goal is $215,000 for the Relay year, which begins in September and runs through August. According to Davidheiser, between 2008 and 2015Relay For Life of Boyertown raised approximately $1.45 million for the American Cancer Society to find a cure.
Find more details at <www.relayforlife.org/paboyertown>.