Fundraising for Relay!

This is an example of the burgers Moonshine Store has to offer.

It's a fundraiser for cancer research, a source of information about cancer, and patient advocacy program.

Many people first ask the question, "How far do I have to run?" or, "Do I challenge people to sponsor me at like a dime per lap to raise money?"

Well, no running unless you like that kind of thing.

And if you want to ask people to sponsor a number of laps for a certain amount of money, that's fine. That's certainly an option.

However, why not make it fun and challenging for everyone?

Now there are some ground rules we must enforce. The American Cancer Society, from which Relay For Life is a branch, does not allow any type of gambling while at a Relay For Life sponsored event.

That means that any fundraising taking place at the Relay For Life event itself, scheduled for May 12-13, cannot contain a raffle of any kind; nothing that someone has to take a "chance" on to win something.

Each team is able to continue its fundraising on site from the opening of Relay until we close with the Silent Auction at 9 p.m., May 12.

However, prior to the event, if your team or group has a valid gambling license and you want to hold a raffle at your own function, you can.

And, of course, there can be no harm done to any person at any time for any reason during a fundraising event.

"So what kind of fundraising can I do?"

Well, let me give you a couple of fundraising things that my team, Goodrich Piatt Family and Friends, are involved in.

Every April, we host our annual Relay For Life yard sale, where the community donates everything and everything is sold at 50 cents each unless otherwise marked.

It is usually the first yard sale of the year. It's cold, often raining and sometimes dreary out, but we have a great community that supports Relay For Life by stopping by and picking up a little item or two or a new closet full of clothes.

Another fundraiser is the annual Ride for Relay.

As in previous years, this year, we'll meet at the YMCA of Clay County parking lot May 19, at 8-9 a.m., for registration. Then, it's "Kickstands Up," promptly at 9 a.m., for a motorcycle ride to Moonshine, Ill., for the best hamburgers this side of Bobby Flay.

Man, oh man, these burgers are wonderful. This pace has been featured in Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

Bring your rain gear because we ride rain or shine. (But the flood we had several years ago did postpone the ride for a couple of weeks).

Be sure to take cash, as Moonshine doesn't accept debit. You can check them out at www.themoonshinestore.com.

My passion for my puppies and my passion for fighting cancer come together every fall for our newest Relay For Life sponsored event: Bark for Life.

For many people, their pets are their safest confidants for sharing the journey of the cancer process. Bark for Life is an event where people can give back to their pets and bring their dogs to walk around a track and bond with others all while raising money for cancer research and support.

It's a $10 donation per dog with a two-dog limit per person. Since we have four little pups, my husband and I both walk two dogs each while we support Bark.

My personal way to fight cancer is my "WAS" Word Campaign.

You'll often see me in my bright yellow shirt as I work to give this past tense word a future hope.

These shirts are $10 each with sizes adults small to extra-large.

Larger sizes are special ordered and are $2 more per size increase.

Special thanks to Kevin and everyone at A+ Printing for helping to make this fundraiser possible.

These shirts are in Indy, Florida and California as well as here in Brazil, Clay City and Terre Haute.

Next time you see someone wearing this shirt, just know they have helped in making a current disease a future cured one.

So you see, there are any number of ideas for fundraising. I'd like to see a team put on a 5, 7 or 10K Relay Run.

Wouldn't it be great for the day of Relay For Life to start off with a morning run that ended at the Forest Park Walking Track?

That's where our Relay will be this year. Or maybe now you have your own ideas.

Whatever they are, we're here to support you.

Go ahead.

Give it a whirl.

You may find that fighting cancer can be "fun as well as fundraising."