Fundraising moves beyond just the Relay for Life

MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Relay for Life used to be the big fundraiser in town for the American Cancer Society.

While still important, this year’s chairman, Ben Allen, said he realizes there has to be other ways to give because the relay might not be for everyone. While called a relay, it really is a walk to raise money to fight cancer.

In 2012, the Marysville/Tulalip Relay for Life had 50 teams register. Now, he said he’s happy if 30 teams turn out.

“Relays have to mold to the community,” Allen said, adding the “experience of it” was popular when the relay started.

But even if people don’t go to the relay anymore, that doesn’t mean they aren’t fundraising. Many people raise funds and donate money, they just don’t participate in the walk.

Some people stopped because it was so long. Although most people don’t stay the entire time, it did last 24 hours.

“The overnight experience is not something they enjoyed doing,” Allen said, adding in recent years only about five people would walk during the night. When the event began years ago, the goal was to have someone walking on the relay team for 24 hours straight.

“We understand not everyone can do the relay,” he said. “But what can they do?”

Many people sign up to help raise funds and then do so at their work, even if they don’t walk at all.

Last year, the ACS decided to cut back on the hours. Many walks changed to a 12-hour timeframe. Allen, who has been involved in the Marysville relay for three years, said it is tough putting on a full-day event.

“It’s very difficult to put on an event with four people,” he said. “We’re looking for help.”

Allen said he is open to input about the event from community members.

“We want to do whatever the community wants,” he said.

Allen said he knows it’s hard to get volunteers.

“Only a small amount in the community volunteer,” he said. “There’s different ways to volunteer and give back.”

He said he knows people don’t have every day to give.

“People can be involved at their own pace, and do something that matters,” Allen said.

If he could just get a handful of other volunteers, Allen said he could get out and talk to people about the importance of helping the ACS.

“We need helping hands,” he said.

Allen said the Tulalip Tribes were involved in Relay for Life more than ever last year, and that really helped. Not only did they donate money, they also had a team that participated and gave away items such as cooling fans, which are great for hot days. He said he was happy to have that part of our community involved.

He said businesses are still very involved in the event, often donating supplies and equipment.

“We didn’t have to go out and buy anything,” he said. “It’s all donated.”

He also said a lot of different organizations are putting on events in communities so there is competition for people’s time and money.

“Events aren’t as big anymore because there are so many more opportunities,” he said. “There’s other charities asking for help.”

Allen said he always liked the 24-hour events, but it could change to from sunup to sundown this year. No matter what, he still has a personal goal of raising $1,000.

The ACS has asked organizers such as Allen to try to “identify how to be more creative in our fundraising,” he said. They are working with businesses such as the Everett Silvertips hockey team and events such as the Pumpkin Dash in Lake Stevens. Another example is every month a local restaurant is giving 10 percent of proceeds to the ACS.

“We’re doing things a little differently; we have to change to be successful, but our core mission is the same,” Allen said.

He said Relay for Life is still important to the ACS.

“Relay is a remembrance and a celebration to honor our survivors,” he said.

Allen, who works for Wal-Mart, got involved through his work. He was asked to walk and ended up being the team captain. After that he became passionate about the cause because he got “involved with people affected by cancer.”

He got even more involved when a cousin died of cancer, along with some co-workers.

“The worst thing ever is when somebody you work with or a family member finds out that their time is running out,” Allen said.

He said it was heartbreaking when a fellow relay member celebrated a year being cancer free and then a few months later died when it returned.

Allen said he asked himself, “What can I do more to not have a family losing their mom again?”

“It makes you work harder to find those dollars to make their life better and prevent it from happening to somebody else,” he said.”I just can’t stand there without doing something.”

Allen said volunteering is a small way to give back.

“Do a little bit more to show you care,” he said. “Give a light of hope to them and show that somebody out there cares.”

Fundraising events

Relay for Life events: The annual Relay for Life events are scheduled for next year. Here’s a look at the dates and places. For more information, visit relay.acsevents.org:

Relay for Life of Stanwood/Camano Island, 11 a.m. May 28, Stanwood Fair Grounds, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood.

Relay for Life of Everett, 7 a.m. June 4, Boxcar Park, 615 13th Street, Everett.

Relay for Life of South Snohomish, 8 a.m. June 4, McCollum Park, 600 128th Street SE, Everett.

Relay for Life of Lake Stevens, noon June 4, Lake Stevens H.S., 2908 113th Avenue NE, Lake Stevens.

Relay for Life of Sky Valley, noon June 4, Monroe H.S., 17001 Tester Road, Monroe.

Relay for Life of Mukilteo, 3 p.m. June 24. Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Avenue, Everett.

Relay for Life of Marysville/Tulalip, 8 a.m. June 25, Asbery Park, 1605 7th Street, Marysville.

Relay for Life of Granite Falls, noon July 16, Granite Falls School District Office, 205 N Alder, Granite Falls.

Making Strides event: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a non-competitive 5K walk that raises awareness about breast cancer and funds for research and patient services, is 9 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Port of Everett, 1620 W Marine View Drive, Everett. Registration is $35 and participants receive a shirt and bib. There will also be a chance at the event to donate ponytails to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which creates free, high-quality wigs. To sign up, visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/everettwa.

Taking Steps event: Arlington’s Taking Steps to Beat Breast Cancer 5K walk is Oct. 31. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a Zumba warm up. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. on Olympic Avenue and crosses onto the Centennial Trail. Hot dogs and brats are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a beer tasting will be available from noon to 2 p.m. To register, visit www.takingstepstobeatbreastcancer.com.

Seattle Premium Outlets donates: Seattle Premium Outlets and Susan G. Komen for the Cure are teaming up to support breast cancer awareness, research, and treatment programs in our community. During the month of October, visit the on-site Information Center to donate $10 to support the cause and receive 25 percent off one item from select stores including Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, DKNY, Kenneth Cole, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Donations will be accepted on-site only via cash or credit, with all proceeds benefitting Komen Puget Sound. Representatives from Komen Puget Sound will also be on-site on select weekends to answer questions regarding breast health and the organization’s efforts.