American Cancer Society

Relay for Life in Janesville – August 6-7, 2004 – Rock County Fairgrounds

September 8, 2004

This newsletter is to communicate information to teams about the Relay For Life and to thank participants appropriately.  Please read thoroughly and share appropriate information with your teammates. 

Team captains meeting:

Monday, September 13^th UAW HALL – 6:30pm

AWARDS:  Team Plaques and Plates

Teams raising over $1000.00 will receive a plaque, or a gold plate to add to your team’s existing plaque.  Team captains are invited to pick-up their team plaques and plates on September 13 during a meeting at the UAW Hall on 1795 Lafayette, Janesville.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!!

The 33 teams raised $79,970.01, 946 luminaria were sold, bringing in $4,730.00, underwriting and miscellaneous income totaled $10,000, plus over $10,000 in matching funds makes a total of over $102,000.  Expenses were $4,899.34 making net proceeds for this event over $97,000, an increase over last year of 33. %.  And, we can really be proud that only 4.7% of our income went to expenses.  But, remember that RELAY isn’t about the money – it is about WHAT THE MONEY CAN DO!! 

TEAM SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS:  Nancy’s Nomads

Congratulations to the 2004 Relay Team Spirit Award winners the family team – Nancy’s Nomads!!

THANKS:  Team Captains

Thank you to all of the team captains for leading your team to success!  Team fundraising brought in over $74,000 compared to $55,000 last year.  Great job Teams!!!

AUSTIN RYGGS:  Goes Kojack

Austin Ryggs of WJVL challenged the committee to raise over $77,999 and he would shave his head.  If you’ve seen Austin on the street, you know he lost the challenge and kept his commitment!  Special thanks to Austin for this event challenge and his good humor.  Also thanks to the staff of the Academy of Cosmetology for “doing the honors.” 

COMMITTEE COMINGS, GOINGS AND CHANGES:

THANKS FROM BEV WILSON, Chair/Co-Chair For The Past Two Years:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the Relay for Life committee that I had the honor of working with these last six years.  I now feel I would like to step back on the committee and turn my role over to a very committed and willing person, Todd Lentz.  I hope everyone will welcome him and look forward to next year’s relay.  I will be on the committee next year and will focus my attention to the Survivor Recognition (Survivors tent and activities).  Thanks to all again, the best is yet to come.  Remember there is no finish line until a cure is found.

Special Thanks to 2004 Logistics Chair - Connie DuCharme

We would like to thank Connie for overseeing the change in location from Monterey Park 2002 to the Fairgrounds 2003 we have been very fortunate to have her skills in that role.  It has been a pleasure to have Connie as an active planning committee member for several years.  THANK-YOU, CONNIE!!  

WELCOME, TODD LENTZ:  CHAIR FOR 2005

We are pleased to announce Todd Lentz has accepted the role of Chair for the 2005 Relay For Life in Janesville.  Todd, a Janesville native is the Director of Sales for EVS Sports.  He and wife Jennifer have two sons ages 5 years and 6 months.  “I am a proud native of Janesville and have a genuine interest in ACS Relay For Life.  After loosing my mother (Age 48 – Sandra Lentz) to cancer, I had a rude awakening of this disease and the effects it has on everyone around us.  My ambition and willingness to be involved with ACS is inner driven from the deep sadness I feel everyday from the loss of my mom” Todd stated.      

INPUT IS WELCOME:  Suggestions for next year

The committee held a meeting last week to review the event and start planning for next year.  Relay is your event and we would welcome your ideas and suggestions for next year.  Please share your thoughts with the planning committee members.

MR. RELAY:  Big Success

The first Mr. Relay contest was a huge success with over half the teams entering raising over $1,300.00 in less than 20 minutes.  Mr. David Schollmeir from Nancy’s Nomads was the winner, raising $279.00.  Thank-you Anne Marie Reese for organizing and being the emcee for this entertaining contest. 

THANK-YOU:  Our 2004 Sponsors:

Corporate (Bronze Level):

Media Sponsors: 

Underwriters:

                               Chapter of Local 95

Community Credit Union

NEEDED:  Sponsors and Underwriters for 2005:

We are always on the lookout for businesses and organizations to serve as sponsors and underwriters for the various Relay activities.  Do you have suggestions for sponsors?  NOW is the time to ask because most companies are in the process of budgeting for next year.  Underwriting opportunities begin at $250.00.  Please let a committee member know if there is a contact that we should approach to sponsor this event to help in the fight against cancer!! 

UPDATED:  Relay for Life Janesville Website (janesvillerelayforlife.org)

Anne Reese has done a wonderful job of maintaining a website for the Relay.  She would like pictures from the 2004 Relay to add to the site.  You can make arrangements to get your photos to Anne either in hard copy or electronically (email pictures from a digital camera or scanned pictures) by contacting her at: reecebrianne@tributechevy.net .  BE SURE to indicate which team the photo is from. 

WANTED:  Committee members

Connie DuCharme, logistics chair is stepping down from that position.  If you are able to take that position on the committee, please contact Todd.  Thank you, Connie, for all your hard work over the past years. 

Planning for the 2005 Relay for Life in Janesville has already begun.  Additional committee members are needed to assist the planning team in making next year an even bigger success!!  There are many roles for committee members.  Time commitment is a monthly meeting (1-2 hours) and some minimal homework.  You will receive training. 

2005 Relay For Life Planning Committee (so far):

Committee and Team members from General Motors are eligible for the Volunteers Plu$ program which donates $250.00 to the American Cancer Society as matching funds for your donation of 50 hours during a year. 

If you would like to join the planning committee, please contact any one of us and we will be happy to keep you informed of upcoming meetings.

Mark August 5-6 on your calendar for the

2005 Relay for Life in Janesville