Letters to the editor for May 9

May 09, 2008 11:56 am

— Thanks for a successful Relay
I would like to use your forum to extend our most sincere thanks to all of the hundreds of people who have just joined together with the Cherokee County Relay For Life Committee to hold the most successful Relay that Cherokee County has ever seen. At this point, we have breezed past the original fundraising goal of 100K. In these difficult economic times, where just to put gas in your tank is a struggle for many people, the fact that we are able to have an event of this magnitude in this county speaks volumes of the generosity and caring nature of the people of Cherokee County. It also goes to show proof of the fact that everyone has a story of someone they know and love who has been directly affected by some type of cancer.
An event of this type empowers us to celebrate the lives of people who have struggled to defeat cancer, remember the valiance of those who battled unsuccessfully, and allows us to fight back in our quest to find a cure for this terrible disease through the fundraising efforts that will ultimately be used to fund additional and necessary research.
To those of you who think they may have missed an opportunity to participate in this event, think again. While the actual night of Relay For Life is a dedicated date, your Committee and the cause of Relay For Life continues in Cherokee County year round. If you have an idea for a fundraiser and would like some resources for developing an event, please let us know at cherokeerelayforlife@yahoo.com and we will be glad to assist you.
I would like to offer special thanks to the Jacksonville Daily Progress for your willingness to help us promote this event and to make the teams fundraising events successful by offering information about upcoming events on almost a daily basis. Your contribution to Relay For Life has been invaluable.
Additionally, I would like to offer thanks to the Cherokee County Exposition Center, specifically Wayne Berry and Mary Jo McKnight, for their willingness to allow us to use that facility at virtually the last minute in the face of a questionable weather forecast.
To the hundreds of others who participated on a team, who offered corporate sponsorships, who made in-kind donations, who offered broadcast and print media publicity support, or whatever capacity helped make this event successful, your contribution is valued, important and appreciated.
Debbie Griffin
2008 Cherokee County Relay For Life Committee Publicity Chair