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Ruskin Hosts Relay For Life Fundraiser

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 12, 2008

RUSKIN - Although the SouthShore Relay for Life is several months away, people in Ruskin recently had the chance to get a head start on raising money for the American Cancer Society.

In fact, organizers said, the Relay for Life kickoff party Saturday at a shopping complex on U.S. 41 South was the first of its kind for the area.

"This is the first time we've had an event this big as our kickoff," said Stacy Self, event chairwoman for SouthShore Relay for Life. "In the past, it's been about 20 people in a gym with a pizza."

Self, in her first year with SouthShore relay, said it is also the first time money has been raised at a kickoff party, which was attended by about 125 to 150 people.

The South Shore relay is scheduled for April 18-19 at Lennard High School. It is the first time Lennard will host the overnight event, taking over from East Bay High School.

Relay for Life seeks to pay tribute to the lives lost and touched by cancer, and to raise money to help fight it. During the event, teams of 10 will camp out on the school's football field while at least one member walks or jogs around the surrounding track at all times.

Self said that 93 cents out of each dollar donated will go to research or to benefit the area.

"Another appealing thing is that the money will stay in South Shore," Self said. "There are a lot of people in this area who will benefit, so that is very important to us."

The kickoff event also featured food, fun - including a lip-synch contest - and an auction.

Twenty-seven teams are signed up to participate in the relay. Many of those teams were in attendance, raised money - by selling cotton candy and popcorn, for example - resulting in a tally of about $1,200.

People were also encouraged to sign up as teams. Two teams were formed during the event, bringing the total to 29.

"Our goal was to have 30 teams, but we've already accomplished that, and we still have a few months to go," Self said. "So now our new goal is to have 50 teams."

The auction featured items from area businesses, as well as autographed sports memorabilia from Tampa Bay Lightning players Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis.

"The auction is always a highlight," said Amanda Ramella, who is in her seventh year working with Relay for Life. "A lot of great prizes are donated, and people really get into it."

The auction yielded $2,600, but the SouthShore Relay for Life staff is not slowing down.

They are encouraging anyone interested in forming a team or becoming involved to attend upcoming meetings in the media center at Lennard High School, 2002 E. Shell Point Road. Meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 21, March 10 and 24 and April 7.

"We had a speaker earlier in the day, and he said that a test tube costs about a dollar to make, and you never know which one is going to have the cure for cancer," Self said. "Every single dollar makes a difference.

For information about the SouthShore Relay for Life, call Sam Cook's Home Service Centre, (813) 633-1515.

GET INVOLVED

WHAT: SouthShore Relay for Life

WHEN: April 18-19

WHERE: Lennard High School, 2002 E. Shell Point Road

MEETINGS: 7 p.m. Jan. 21, March 10 and 24, and April 7 in Lennard's media center

INFORMATION: Sam Cook's Home Service Centre, (813) 633-1515

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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