NORWICH – The Chenango Relay for Life committee is hoping to “Paint the County Purple” once again this year for what’s become a popular annual event with local businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals across the county.
Friday, May 1, 2015, hundreds are expected to adorn themselves, their establishments or their offices in purple to promote the Chenango Relay for Life event that’s set for 10 a.m. until midnight on July 18, 2015 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich.
This year’s main event has a new spin. It will be one day rather than an overnight experience.
Marie DeSarro, who does media and promotions, income tracking and website work for Chenango’s Relay for Life, explained that “Paint the County Purple” is to help spread the word about this year’s event.
“Since it’s a one-day event, we’re hoping more of the public will come down throughout the day and check it out,” said DeSarro. “Teams will still have campsites set up with fundraisers and ways to earn money for their teams. The event committee has a lot of different activities set up throughout the day to the sports theme. The more places that can make people aware of the event, the better.”
DeSarro said in a prior interview with The Evening Sun, “A lot of times, we’re confused with the school and hopefully this year all of the events and the information spread around town will help everyone realize that we’re doing this to promote the upcoming Relay for Life.”
DeSarro strongly suggests that those who participate in Friday’s event also take photos. They will be shared on the Chenango Relay for Life website. Any Relay team which submits a photo of its participation will be submitted into a contest for the most decorated or best dressed, she added. Photos can be sent via email to Relay.Chenango@gmail.com.
It’s hoped the Paint the County Purple event will garner more interest and get more people involved in July’s event, said DeSarro.
This year’s theme for the main event is sports. DeSarro said, “The motto is ‘Be the team that sets the goal of defeating cancer.”
“We can never say thank you enough to all of the local communities throughout Chenango County,” commented DeSarro. “Their continuous support of this great event is so overwhelming. It continues to grow each year ... Everyone finds a way to keep fighting for a cure.”
Come Relay’s main event in July, opening ceremonies will be at 11:30 a.m., a survivor dinner at 5:30 p.m., and a luminaria ceremony at 9:30 p.m..
For those interested in participating in helping to paint the county purple on Friday, DeSarro offered some advice: “Do whatever you can to show your support of the event. We’ll be walking around Norwich on Friday morning to hand out balloons to local businesses, to fly in front of their stores. But anything someone wants to do to participate by decorating in purple is great. We’ve had businesses decorate their storefronts in all purple merchandise in the past … Others have participated by collecting tips or donations throughout the day.”
Those looking for more information on this year’s Relay for Life can 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.