ELIZABETHTOWN — Planning for this year’s Relay for Life is underway and meetings are being held with the hopes of drawing in more volunteers, sponsors and participants.

Mary Williams kicked off Tuesday’s meeting by recognizing the new and old participants in the meeting room at the Bladen County Public Library. Williams is the Bladen County event chairwoman.

Demetrice Johnson-Jones shared that she was new this year, but not new to Relay for Life.

“I actually started Relay for Life at East Arcadia School four years ago,” she said. “I was the principal there at the time. Because I had started a team there it is near and dear to my heart.”

Luminary bags are also available for purchase as well as roses.

“They can be in honor or in memory,” Williams said. “There are gold bags, and they are open, and they are really pretty.”

There are white bags and purple bags as well. There are deadlines for those so they can be placed on the track during the event.

Team recruitment is also an important facet of the event. Teams can be started through work places, churches or anywhere.

“The goal for 2019 is $130,000,” said Williams. “I know that it can be done. It’s been done before, some time ago. We are going to work hard to try and meet our goal.”

Dr. Lisa Bryan is handling publicity. This is her second year of involvement in Bladen’s Relay.

“It’s a great event,” said Bryan, adding that the lack of publicity caused a dip in participation last year. “I really want to get people back involved.”

Bryan is a cancer survivor.

“Many people who are involved in Relay are cancer survivors,” she said. “Or they have lost someone to cancer or have a loved one fighting cancer. It becomes a passionate thing.”

Williams said that they stopped doing the 24-hour event due to uneven participation and said that she is hoping the new schedule for the event of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on a Saturday will generate more of a turnout.

“We did that so we can incorporate our youth,” Williams said. “Usually they are in school. We want them to have something to do on a Saturday besides sleep in.”

The group still has a need for more volunteers and would welcome any support.

Registration forms need to be filled out or it can be done online or by contacting the American Cancer Society

For more information about participating in Relay for Life contact Williams at 910-991-6325. Bryan can be reached at 910-736-1529 or drlisabryan@outlook.com.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Bladen County Relay for Life event chairwoman Mary Williams shared information about the luminaries and roses that will be at the Relay this year.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Williams-1.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Bladen County Relay for Life event chairwoman Mary Williams shared information about the luminaries and roses that will be at the Relay this year.

Emily M. Williams

Bladen Journal

Emily M. Williams can be reached at 910-247-9133 or ewilliams@bladenjournal.com.