02-25-09
Mount Vernon Relay for Life Kicks Off 2009 Fundraising Effort
     More than ninety attendees gathered in Mount Vernon as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mount Vernon kicked off its 2009 fundraising efforts. The Kickoff Celebration, held Tuesday, February 24th at the Mount Vernon Armory, was designed to be both entertaining and informative and included an overview of the Relay for Life, team recruitment information, an introduction of the volunteer committee, raffle drawings and wrapped up with a touching “Why I Relay” ceremony.
     The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s largest fundraising effort. Occurring in communities across the country, it brings together the local community for an overnight event where fundraising teams gather to camp out, barbecue, socialize and enjoy live entertainment all while raising money to fight cancer. In Mount Vernon last year, hundreds of participants raised more than $65,000 for the American Cancer Society. The 2009 Relay for Life of Mount Vernon is scheduled for June 12-13th at Memorial Field.
     Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. and County Legislator Lyndon Williams made impassioned presentations explaining the importance of the Relay for Life effort, while American Cancer Society representative Sarah Hess and the Mount Vernon Relay for Life co-chairs Mary Harris and Kameka Faulkner shared the emcee duties. Commissioner Floyd Meyers and the Mount Vernon Department of Recreation generously supplied food and refreshments.
     For those interested in participating in the 2009 Relay for Life of Mount Vernon, visit HTTP://WWW.RELAYFORLIFE.ORG/MTVERNONNY for more information and to enroll your team.