August 8, 2005

Campbell’s 6th Annual Relay For Life: New leadership, same passion, energy

Emphasis on enlivening event, increasing community culture

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

The weekend of July 9 – 10 marked the sixth year of Campbell’s participation in Relay For Life, the 24-hour team-based event that is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Held at the Campbell Community Center’s Buccaneer Stadium, the hodge podge of themed tents, jump houses, balloons and beautifully hand-crafted luminaria bags lining the track looked more like a traveling festival than a fundraising event.

Campbell’s 6th Annual Relay For Life benefiting the American Cancer Society was held at the Campbell Community Center’s Buccaneer Stadium on July 9 – 10.

According to 2005 event Chairperson Jenna Boyce, this high energy, celebratory atmosphere is precisely what makes Campbell’s Relay For Life so unique, and what she wants to build on in her new leadership role.

“Every community is different, has a different culture. We really wanted to show people who have never been [to Relay] before this year what it was all about and build on that positive energy.”

One of the noticeable changes this year was the emphasis on providing top-quality entertainment. Boyce credits these efforts to her entertainment co-chairs, Meghan Criswell and Cassandra Heropoulos. Although both are activitist veterans, neither has held chair positions prior to this year. “I found out about Relay For Life last year, “said Heropoulos, who lost her mother to cancer. “And I signed up for entertainment chair this year!”

Crowd pleasers ranged from local bands to karaoke contests to acoustic artists – and much more offerings for the youngsters. Popular attractions included a jump house, balloon artists, craft shack and face painting. Criswell, slated to join Boyce as co-chair of next year’s Relay For Life summed up their philosophy, “We wanted much more music – last year everyone just went to sleep. We wanted this year to be different. Cancer doesn’t sleep, why should we?”

Gettin’ their groove on – Dancin’ to the sounds of karaoke contestants is a sampling of the many activities that made the 2005 Campbell Relay for Life event a success. Of the 60 teams that registered, 22 were youth teams - a number event leaders hope to increase next year.

Local sister relays impact Campbell
With the start this year of “sister” Relays in the neighboring communities of both Saratoga and Los Gatos, Campbell has seen some attrition in both teams and funds over past years.

According to Boyce, this is an expected and welcomed outcome when any community begins their own Relay For Life event. “For the past three years, Los Gatos has tried to start their own Relay and finally this year they have the support. They have 16 teams, and that’s a great start for their first year. Being a community-based and supported event is the signature of Relay and you want each community to embrace and start its own Relay.”

The Los Gatos Relay For Life is scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 20 - 21, and some Campbell Relay veterans plan to be on hand to lend a helping hand. While Campbell will feel some financial impact with the inception of the two neighboring Relay events, Boyce points out that the focus is not so much on competition but more on rebuilding and putting forth the best effort.

Meghan Criswell (left) and Cassandra Heropoulos brought a new infusion of energy to their roles as the 2005 Campbell Relay For Life Entertainment Co-Chairs. Increased activities for children and an eclectic mix of top-notch musical artists were just some positive additions to this year’s Relay event. Criswell will be joining event Chair Jenna Boyce as her Co-Chair for the 2006 Campbell Relay.

“Sure, I want to be better [than years past], but this is a rebuilding year. Eighty-five percent of our leadership is new [to their post] and whether we bring in $1 million or $300,000, we are so blessed that we have the best people, the passion and were the best we could be.”

Preliminary totals for the 2005 Campbell Relay For Life are $306,000 with 60 teams registered. Already planning for next year’s event, Boyce and Criswell have some definite goals.

“We would like to get started working on Relay earlier,” said Boyce. “It’s something that we can be thinking about all along.”

Another goal is to bring in more youth involvement. This year saw 22 youth teams participate, a number Boyce hopes to see increase next year. “In the past, Campbell [Relay] had become a really solid event that pretty much ran itself. We are bringing in new leadership, new energy and spirit,” added Boyce. “We want to keep the same passion that has made Campbell strong.”

Donations to Campbell’s Relay For Life benefiting the American Cancer Society can be made through Aug. 31 by calling Trenton Turner at (408) 688-0108 or online at www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/campbell.