The Alexander City Outlook

Relay fundraising events begin

Date: May 14

Time: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Central Alabama Community College track

Participate: Relay For Life is still looking for sponsors and teams. Contact Bridget Hand at 329 – 2820 or Jennifer Baker at 329 – 6736.

Fundraising for the 2010 Relay for Life has kicked into high gear.

While many of this year’s teams have planned internal fundraisers within their companies, others are hosting public events including a fashion show, yard sale and even a dog show.

Felicia Hamlet of Alacare Home Health and Hospice expected the company’s annual yard sale to be a success judging from the previous three years.

“We always have a really great turnout,” she said. “I know the first year we did this we actually had people show up an hour prior to (the) opening.”

With 25 employees, they usually have plenty of items to sell, but they also accept donations from the public. The yard sale will take place April 10 beginning at 7 a.m. at 33 Aliant Parkway.

With 17 groups, Russell Medical Center has already scheduled three public and several more internal fundraisers. The hospital had to split into numerous teams because of size restrictions, but communications coordinator Leah Blair said that has helped with raising money.

“We at the hospital a re a united team as far as fundraising … but there’s a little friendly competition between the departments,” she said.

First up is a spring fling with face painting and children’s activities that will be held in conjunction with the city Easter Egg hunt on March 27.

On April 10 another RMC team will sponsor Pooches on Parade at Hamp Lyon stadium at 9 a.m. Owners will walk their dogs around the stadium and judges will declare winners in multiple categories including best costume and closest resemblance between owner and pet. Registration includes a small fee. Call Leah Blair at 329-7827.

On April 17, the RMC business office will host a beauty pageant with catagories for infants through 16 year olds. The attire is pageant dress or formal Sunday dress and the event will be held in the RMC community room at 2 p.m. Entry deadline is April 1 and the fee is $50 per contestant. For more information, stop by the RMC business office or call 329-7845 or 750-1948.

RMC also partnered with The American Cancer Society, Picture Perfect Photography and local Relay for Life Teams to create a “Faces of Courage” calendar that feature local breast cancer survivors in Tallapoosa County.

During breast cancer awareness month in October, local survivors were encouraged to submit their picture for the opportunity to be featured in the calendar. The pictures were displayed and the community was invited to place their votes in support of their selected survivor for $1 per vote. The calendars are available at the enrichment services office for a $10 donation.