calvert county public schools

On Tuesday evening, while some were attending inaugural balls, advocates for Relay for Life praised past accomplishments and rallied troops for a new year of fundraising.

This year's Calvert County Relay for Life fundraiser has some big shoes to fill to meet last year's record number of participants, donations and awards.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life and it is the 12th event held in Calvert. Relay for Life is a national fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society, with funds going to research, treatment, advocacy and services.

Calvert High School's drum line set a celebratory tone as it drummed at the back of the school's auditorium when people arrived and made its way to the stage performing a few selections before the ceremonies began.


Paula Rosnage, this year's co-chair, announced that the relay will move this year to Hallowing Point Park, increasing available space.

"The biggest event in Calvert County has now gotten bigger," she said.

Calvert's goal this year is $475,000, and if the goal is reached, it will be the most raised ever for relay, she said.

"We plan to attack it in little pieces, from all angles," Rosnage said.

Co-chair Kristin Batson said, "We always have high hopes and expectations because the community seems to support this cause like none other." The relay is reinforcing that small donations are just as important as large donations because they can work together to make a larger piece of the pie, Batson said. "We'll focus on that this year," she said.

At Calvert's relay last year, 130 teams with 2,160 participants raised $461,000 and netted $457,000 for the American Cancer Society.

This year, the relay is asking all participants to raise $100 each, and created the slogan, "Be a hero, don't be a zero."

Calvert won a Region Award for largest online donations last year, raising $162,000 with online donations making it fifth in the nation.

Calvert also won the Region Award last year for the largest per-capita money raised, with $5.02 raised per person. At the rally, Calvert County Board of County Commissioners member Susan Shaw (R) accepted last year's national per-capita relay award on behalf of the commissioners, and it will be on display in the commissioners' hearing room, Rosnage said.

Judi Coyle, who co-chaired the event last year, received a citation of recognition from state Sen. Roy P. Dyson (D-Calvert, St. Mary's Charles) for her many years of contributions to Relay for Life.

Superintendent of Calvert County Schools Jack Smith was honored as superintendent of the year for 2008 and was presented with the award at the kickoff rally. Calvert County public schools also received an award for 100 percent participation last year. The awards will be displayed at the Calvert County public schools Board of Education building.

"It's a privilege to work with Relay for Life, both as an individual and as a representative of the school system," Smith said. Every person in the community has been touched by cancer, whether it's a family member, friend or co-worker, he said.

There is a "no pressure approach" in the schools in regards to fundraising, but the school system allows relay fundraisers to use the schools to support fundraising efforts off school time, Smith said. "We try to find the right balance," he said.

Already businesses and teams are fundraising, but Batson said she understands that this year may be tougher for some businesses to become corporate sponsors and donate because of the economy. Both Sneade's Ace Home Center and PNC Bank have already agreed to sponsor the 2009 relay, and Batson said she hopes many more businesses will follow.

The schools have also begun fundraising efforts, with Barstow Elementary hosting a fundraiser on Jan. 20. Relay participants took advantage of the school's in-service day and provided breakfast and lunch for teachers, earning more than $300, Rosnage said.