Colton Relay for Life Kicks Off Preparation for 2014 Relay for Life

For many, family provides strength, love, wisdom and endless support - and that's exactly the kind of bond seen amongst the participants and volunteers of the Colton Relay for Life. Held this year at the American Legion hall, cancer survivors, caretakers, children and everyone with a desire to help the cause, filled the building with heartwarming conversation and stories during the potluck style Colton Relay for Life kick-off event, taking place earlier this month. The Colton Relay for Life kicked off preparation for the 24-hour relay, which celebrates its 10th year running come May 2014. Throughout the upcoming year, teams will hold a variety of events to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Events include community yard sales, car washes, taco nights, raffles and more. The Colton Relay for Life is special in that much emphasis is placed on it being a community-based event. The entire relay is built upon family and friends working hard together to look for a cure. "You make a lot of lifelong friends here," coordinator Stephanie Smith said about the event. "You'll laugh and cry; it's emotional for everybody." The kick-off included touching stories from survivors in the crowd, poems read for those who have beaten cancer and those who have lost their lives; recognition for the caregivers and anyone who has helped in the battle. Everyone who plays a part in the relay is there on a volunteer basis, giving all the time they possibly can. Last year's relay was considered a success, raising over $103,000. It sparked participation growth in the event, explained relay members. Since then, the Colton Joint Unified School District has adopted a "Cancer Awareness" week and a junior committee was formed comprised of students with a desire to help. Starting early, the relay is open for anyone who wants to join, make new friends and connect and share stories with those who can both sympathize and empathize. [END] Colton Relay for Life Kick-Off 2014 Date: Friday, November 08, 2013 Time: 6:00 p.m. Google Map Event Location: American Legion Post 155 Address: 1401 Veterans Way Colton CA 92324 Description: Til 9pm. Potluck style celebration for the Colton Relay for Life's 10th anniversary. Join the fight against cancer! CONTACT INFO Phone: 909-222-4321 Paula Flores Email we received: Hi everyone ! We are getting a jump start on the 2014 Relay Season. Friday November 8th we will be holding our kick off. Start spreading the word to your team members. Remember Renee & I are here if you need us for team meetings or have questions. This year is Colton’s 10th anniversary so we definitely plan on making this even more amazing than 2013 ( Is that even possible ? ) Last year's kick off we had almost 200 people can we up the numbers???? Renee & Stephanie Renee ( 909) 890-8620 reneemr24@hotmail.com Stephanie (909) 644-2934 steffsmith3811@gmail.com ALENA'S ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Family means that you'll never be alone. When you're in trouble, your family will be there to lift you back up. They provide strength, love, wisdom, and endless support. And that's exactly the kind of bond you see amongst the participants and volunteers at the potluck style Colton Relay for Life Kick-off. Held this year at the donated American Legion hall, cancer survivors, caretakers, children, and anyone with a desire to help a good cause filled the air with heartwarming conversation and stories. The 24 hour relay, which celebrates its 10th year running this year, started its season early in preparation for the event in May 2014. Throughout the upcoming year, teams will hold a variety of fundraising events to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Events that include community yard sales, car washes, taco nights, raffles and many more. The Colton relay is special in the way that it is such a community based event. With not a lot of opportunity to gain big corporate sponsors, the entire relay is built upon family and friends working hard together to look for a cure. "You make a lot of lifelong friends here," coordinator Stephanie Smith says about the event. "You'll laugh and cry, it's emotional for everybody." The kick-off included touching stories from survivors in the crowd, poems that were read for those that have beaten cancer and those that have lost their lives. Recognition for the caregivers and anyone that has helped in the battle were also given. Everyone who plays a part in the relay is there on a volunteer basis, giving all the time they possibly can. Last year's relay was such a success, raising over $103,000, it sparked quite the growth in the event. Since then, the Colton school district adopted a "cancer awareness" week and a junior committee was formed comprised of students with a desire to help. Starting early, the relay is open for anyone who wants to join, make new friends, and connect and share your stories with those who understand.