Hello team! Not much to report today. Ice Cream Days are here! That's kind of exciting for Le Mars people. I haven't heard a total yet on how much our Relay raised, but will update when I do. I know we're up to $2,270.00 (had another $20 come in!).

As a goal for next year's Relay, I thought we'd shoot for between $2,500 and $3,000. Given the little time we had this year and what we accomplished, I'd say this goal is a good target. Be thinking about ways to fundraise all year long. Our Team will have one major fundraiser, yet to be determined, but our individual fundraising was a huge success this year so don't stop just because the Relay's a year away. Feel free to keep asking people for donations and we can get those sent in to get a tally running for next year.

Everyone have a good rest of the week!

We had another team donation come in, another $250.00. That brings us to $2,250.00 and the second place team collected $2560!!! We are awesome!!!

Andy and I are contemplating if we want to volunteer to work at the Relay next year, we have the phone number of the lady to contact. We had some good ideas come up in discussion and thought maybe our input would put a new spin on the Relay and hopefully get more people involved, especially overnight. Most teams packed up and only maybe 5 teams were there overnight, sometimes there were only 4-5 people walking. I can't say we constantly had someone walking, but we were there. The contests they had overnight were fun, but with so few people around, they didn't even do some of them. I guess I just saw a lot of room for improvement and thought they could use someone to step in and suggest new, fun ideas that would keep people at the Relay.

Will let everyone know what we decide.

Next week is Ice Cream Days in Le Mars so I'm going to brainstorm and see if there's something we could maybe pull together during that.

Also had the idea last night that it would be fun if the Relay would start up a Relay for Life basketball or softball or volleyball league, where us teams would compete against each other. Would get people involved and active. Again, just ideas that pop into my brain.

Well, everyone have a nice week! We bought a cheap-o popup camper last night so hoping to get some camping done this summer. Can't believe it's June 6 already!!

Take care,
Shelly

Here's a link to the article that was in today's Le Mars Sentinel about the Relay:

http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1215207.html

Relay 2007 was a huge success! Our team raised $2,000.00...on the dot!!! Here's how it breaks down:

$1,520.00 - team-collected donations
$335.00 - bake sale/glow sticks/bracelets, etc.
$145.00 - commitment fee we turned in at Bank Night

All of the Cancer Society people were very impressed with how much we had raised in the few short weeks that we had to prepare. I, as well, am very proud of all the hard work all of you put into the Relay! I couldn't ask for a better team. Thanks to everyone for your involvement and your support, I know we've made Mitchel proud!

So we've got some time to consider how we want to fundraise for next year's Relay, but I have a few ideas to throw out there for everyone's consideration:

• Softball game, we sell goodies at concession stand, charge teams to play, etc.
• Craft fair booth - Sioux Center has a craft fair every year, possibly even 2, one in Spring, other in Fall, and we could sell crafty things to raise funds.
• Penny drive, set jars around local businesses we frequent, asking people to donate their pennies.

We still have lots of time to think about fun ways to raise money so we can meet and exceed that $2,000.00 mark before next year's Relay. Please let me know if you have any ideas on fundraising, I would love to have input from everyone so we can keep our team active throughout the year.

I'll keep everyone informed throughout the year on what's happening.

Thanks again to all of you and God Bless.

IT'S RELAY DAY!!!!!

So far, no rain. My fingers are crossed that it will stay that way.

Andy and I are heading to the fairgrounds at about 1:30 today. It'll probably take us a couple hours to get everything set up and looking pretty!

Please call my cell phone if you need anything today, the number was on my previous e-mails.

I'm really looking forward to the Relay and hope everyone is pumped up for it!!!!

See you all soon!
Shelly