Tucker’s First “Relay for Life” Raises Community Spirits and $14,000

  Rock-and-roll music blared over the walking track at Tucker High School on Friday night, May 30, while a diverse crowd walked laps, threw Frisbees, swapped stories, grilled burgers and hotdogs, relaxed under canopies, danced to the music, and shared memories of those who suffered but survived and those who died from a diagnosis of cancer.

  The First Annual Relay for Life of Tucker was deemed a tremendous success.

  The American Cancer Society champions hundreds of Relays for Life across the country every year, producing donations to fund research that may lead to a cure for cancer.  Each event allows a local church, business, nonprofit organization, or group of friends to form a team.  Every team raises money in the weeks leading up to the Relay for Life, through a community dinner, a bake sale, direct appeals for donations, or securing sponsors.  A Relay is held at a walking track, each team sets up a canopy beside the track, and while local musicians play, team members walk laps and socialize. 

  For the Tucker Relay, members from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church formed a steering committee of representatives from local churches and businesses.  The steering committee set a goal to raise $5,000.  They secured use of the high school track and publicized the event.

  Ten teams signed up, including churches, local businesses, the high school National Honor Society, a community social media network, even a group of student friends from the school, named Rachel’s Tigers, as the school’s sports teams are known as the Tucker Tigers.

  Their hard work produced surprising results.  “The goal was to generate $5000,” said American Cancer Society representative Brittany Reid.  “The first Tucker Relay for Life totaled donations of more than $14,000.”

  Sponsors included the Law Offices of David W. Hibbert, Sherry’s Produce, Matthews Cafeteria, ML2 Solutions, Dr. Jay, AMSVANS.COM, MarJean Selby Contracting, and Junior Pippin Trucking Company.