Organizers for the Bluffton-area Relay for Life have announced plans for this summer’s event, which take place Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, at Salzman Stadium, according to Lynda Best, chairperson.

Best told The Icon that the Relay has set a goal to raise $35,000.

In July 2013, the American Cancer Society decided to drop Bluffton as a Relay for Life site so that it could focus more on the county-wide events. As a result, the event held in Bluffton is now an independent, third-party program with 100 percent of the net funds raised going to the American Cancer Society.

Many of the familiar events from previous relays will continue this year. The 2014 Bluffton-area Relay will include:
• Survivor dinner
• Survivor lap
• Team and Individual Laps
• Inspirational laps and midnight closing
• Luminaries and memory service
• Music and entertainment
• Family and kids' activities
• 1-mile team relay race
• Food: Chicken barbecue, breakfast, concessions, and more
• Dog walk fundraiser (Saturday morning)
• Closing ceremony and presentation to American Cancer Society

This year’s event includes several sponsorship opportunities. These include:
$1,250 Cure Sponsorship
$1,000 Hope Sponsorship
$750 Warrior of Relay
$500 Heart of Relay
$250 Leaders of Relay
$100 Spirit of Relay
$25-$99 Friends of Relay

Best said that in order to donate as much as possible directly toward Cancer research, local businesses and individuals are needed to cover the operating costs of Bluffton’s event. 

“Sponsor funding, including in-kind donations, will be used to pay for the survivor dinner, facility rental, tents, sound system and equipment costs, plus luminary items, signage, and advertising," she said.

All sponsors, with gifts of $500 and higher, will be listed in the Relay program and/or displayed on the track.

The planning committee for this year’s Relay includes:
Lynda Best - Chairperson
Chad Grieser - Treasurer
Edna Conkling - Entertainment
Kathy and Don Boehm - Luminaries
Diane Huber - Survivors
Sheree Stratton - Survivors
Joan Fredrick - Sponsors

Persons wanting more information may contact Best at Village Cut ‘n’ Curl.