Relay Brunch kicks off annual fundraising walk

The Relay for Life committee poses for a picture during the Relay Brunch Jan. 23. In back, from left to right, are Kathy Clark, Rex Rutledge, Jennifer Morris, Cozy Lueck, Gwen Nolan and Deanna Leinweber. In front are Gail Webster and Taylor Johnson.

Laurie Gronning is assisted by Gwen Nolan in signing up for the Relay for Life event which will be June 10-11 in McDonald Park.

Events on Main filled Saturday morning and afternoon for the Relay for Life kickoff event. The Relay committee was joined by about 30 guests for the Relay Brunch.

“A big thank you from the committee and me to everyone who came out to support us,” said community manager Taylor Johnson, who works at the American Cancer Society office in Spokane.

At the brunch, those interested were able to sign up to participate in the 21st edition of Relay for Life in Colfax, which will be June 10-11 at McDonald Park from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The McDonald Park location is a change from the high school track, which is expected to be undergoing construction at the time of Relay this summer.

Johnson said the brunch was a success.

“Attendance was high this year, so that was definitely a good come back year,” she said, noting that nobody showed up for last year's brunch. Johnson also said some teams were able to sign up for Relay at the brunch.

This year's upcoming Relay event comes with some new additions, which are intended to give a boost to the annual fundraising walk, said Johnson.

“It will be good to have a fresh revamp and a facelift to get it going again,” Johnson told the Gazette two weeks ago.

Johnson said the changes came after a new committee was formed in the last year, following the uncertainty of the continuation of Relay for Life in Colfax after last summer's event concluded. A lack of volunteers for the committee meant that Relay was being planned by just a few people, committee members Gwen Nolan and Deanna Leinweber told the Gazette last year. However, since the conclusion of the 20th Relay, more volunteers have stepped forward to form a larger committee and keep Relay going.

The committee now consists of Johnson, Nolan, Leinweber, Kathy Clark, Rex Rutledge, Jennifer Morris, Cozy Lueck and Gail Webster.

The Relay Brunch also debuted this year's theme for Relay: Mardi Gras. Those in attendance were given Mardi Gras beads and had the option to dress up in scarves and masks as well. Those props will be back for the event in June.

“We will have decorations and costumes there for everyone,” said Johnson.

In addition to the theme and new location, Johnson also told the Gazette the possibility of a fun run or 5K is in the works and many activities are planned.

Sign up is still open for Relay for Life, and it will be open up until the actual event. Johnson said early registration is good, though.

“Register by the beginning of April to ensure that you get a T-shirt,” she said.

Johnson said this year's fundraising goal has been set at $40,000.

“We are focusing on getting teams to start signing up and start working toward their fundraising goals,” she said.

Johnson will be available to help teams with their fundraising goals, she said.

For more information about how to sign up or for fundraising questions, go to the Relay for Life website or contact Johnson:

http://www.relayforlife.org

[email protected], 509-242-8303