CHENANGO COUNTY ­– Paint the County Purple (PTCP), part of the American Cancer Society's and the Chenango Relay For Life Paint the Town Purple, kicks off May 1, and organizers are eagerly gearing up in an effort to allow businesses and schools more time to prepare their displays of support.
“We’ve just started to introduce Paint The County Purple to Chenango County, primarily as a way to let people know that Relay For Life is on it’s way,” said an enthusiastic Marie DeSarro, Chenango Relay For Life co-chair. Over the past two years, organizers have been looking to increase community involvement in the event hoping to create a ripple effect which will get even more people interested.
A former committee member, Wendie Hutchings, began bringing restaurants and bars into the fold with just that in mind. Already, special PTCP placemats and napkins are being handed out to local eateries and businesses which are in turn asked to use them on May 1, showing their support. The committee has since been trying to expand its efforts to involve even more businesses beyond restaurants.
“The biggest change that we’re hoping for this year is to have even more involvement ... giving people even more of a 'heads-up' about the date, and what they can do to show their support,” added DeSarro.
Organizers are also working on a few other new things for this year’s PTCP Day, sending out invitations to elected officials throughout Chenango County and inviting them to issue proclamations declaring May 1 as “GO PURPLE for Relay For Life.” Purple balloons will also be handed out to businesses to decorate their storefronts and establishments are invited to do more as they see fit. Organizers also hope to set up a central location on May1 in Norwich’s East Park, where information on the upcoming Relay For Life will be made available.
Further upgrades to this year’s event include: putting tent cards with information about Relay For Life at participating restaurants and bars; asking restaurants and bars to create a purple menu or drink for the day; challenging local elected officials to decorate a prime location in their town or village in purple; asking local businesses to decorate their storefronts in purple; encouraging offices and schools to dress in purple; and asking local medical offices to wear purple gloves on May 1.
“We want to create a buzz about Relay For Life and we’re hoping that it will prompt more questions about the event and create more participation from the community,” said DeSarro, who added that Relay For Life has continued to grow each year since its inception.
Relay For Life organizers have set a goal to raise $158,000 and are optimistic about reaching it, having come close to or surpassing their goals in previous years.
“It’s amazing in such a small community that we continue to raise these funds every year,” said DeSarro. “It goes to show the true passion for the cause in this area.”
Any business interested in participating – or for those looking for more information – should email Relay.Chenango@gmail.com; like the Facebook page Relay For Life of Chenango County; follow the twitter feed @RFLChenango; or visit relayforlife.org/chenangocountyny.