Around Oakley: Relay for Life in Oakley

Over the past couple of years Relay For Life has become one of the top fundraisers in East County. Already word is buzzing around the county about different fundraisers and team set ups for the 2010 countywide series of relays. While the fundraiser for cancer research, which started out 25 years ago in Tacoma, Washington, might have once been a 24-hour hike around an oval track, today is a months-long fundraiser with the dedication of individuals all over the nation.

Since local residents in Oakley started their own Relay For Life fundraiser last year, it has waged a great deal of excitement within the community. With the May 1 weekend of their relay approaching quickly, the Oakley teams are working to find more team members and raising funds for the walk. Relay For Life in Oakley isn't just about spending the night running or walking, it is about raising as much money as possible to help the very special cause of finding a cure and supporting those with cancer.

While raising funds is the most important part there is more to Relay For Life. It includes involving the community and to give the Cancer Society a local presence. As a community event, it creates a sense of community by bringing people together in a moving and fun atmosphere, with sufficient time to build relationships. The event is volunteer-driven, with the Cancer Society coaching the volunteers. There is a true partnership between volunteers and the Cancer Society staff.

Because of that it not only gives the volunteers of the event a sense of doing something good, but also provides a way for everyone in the community to get involved and support the cause. Not everyone has to put a team together and participate in the Relay. There are other ways that people can help. That is where the teams fundraising efforts come in. Over the next couple of months there will be opportunities for residents to show their support of this cause by just attending community events or even going out to dinner.

Oakley Relay For Life "Team Rebecca's Garden" has gotten the help of Chili's Restaurant to put on a fundraiser. They are asking residents to get a hold of one of the Teams coupons, or as they call them fliers, that offer a deal where those who come in to the restaurant on Feb. 22 and order any dinner on the menu and give the wait-staff the "Team Rebecca's Garden" flier, Chili's will donate10 percent of the cost of the meal back to the Rebecca's Garden team for the Relay.
If someone would like a flier, e-mail Denise Rundall
at drundall@sbcglobal.net and she can send one to you.

Knightsen Parent Teacher Club will be sponsoring two Pancake Breakfasts this month. They will take place on Feb. 19 and 26. The breakfasts will be held at Knightsen School 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Donations of $2.00 will be accepted. Funds will go towards the Oakley Relay for Life "Team Knightsen" and also for a plaque in memory of Carmen Galbraith who passed away last year on Feb. 18 of brain cancer. She was 8 years old.

It isn't too late to put together a team for the Oakley Relay For Life, or for that matter the Brentwood, Antioch or Pittsburg teams. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are 24 hours in length, which represents the reality that cancer never sleeps. Those who are interested in helping but don't want to create a team can join one of the other teams already started in Oakley. The next team meeting is March 2 at the Black Bear Diner. The committee meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. or check out the groups Website at www.relayforlife.org/oakleyca.