Between painting the town purple and letting the dogs out, the Pottstown Relay for Life organizers are getting people and pets involved in this year’s fund-raising efforts for the American Cancer Society.
This year’s goal is to raise $1.1 million for cancer research, prevention and care.The theme of Hometown U.S.A.: Color the Town Purple will be literally painted on Pottstown beginning Saturday.The week of April 12 through 19 has been designated as Paint the State Purple by the American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Division.
The goal is to have as many representations of the community’s fight against cancer and involvement in the Relay for Life depicted in purple, such as purple ribbons, purple street lights or just individuals wearing purple.
“It’s a grassroots program they’re rolling out,” said Kathy Brennan, chairperson of the 2008 Relay in Pottstown. “What it’s designed to do is increase awareness of the fight against cancer, awareness of the Relay for Life and awareness for survivorship.”Brennan said hundreds of area residents, and dozens of businesses and organizations are on board to do their share to paint Pottstown purple.
Some of the things to look for during the Paint the State Purple event include:Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, which has recently come to the plate with a $15,000 corporate sponsorship for the Relay for Life of Pottstown (matching Diamond Credit Union’s highest sponsorship contribution to Relay so far this year) will change all the lights in their parking lot to purple from April 12 until the Relay for Life event May 31-June 1.The Coventry Mall will have purple bows on the columns inside the mall, and advertise the event on their marquee and on their Web site.Relay for Life banners will be hung from the light posts throughout Pottstown.The Pourhouse in Pottstown and Crazy Carl’s in Schwenksville will be serving purple beer.The week of purple will culminate with the Canine Relay event in Pottstown, “We Let the Dogs Out: Bark for Life.”
The canine event will include a blessing of the dogs, a dog walk in Riverfront Park, and fund-raising events that support Relay.Last year, Pottstown had its first canine team of online fund-raising dogs, and the program has become a pilot for other Relays throughout the country.The local Relay is a record-breaker and a trend-setter, and their track record is not going to end.Look for the purple and listen for the barks of life: Relay events are heating up in Pottstown.
To view videos of the Voice of Relay, visit www.pottsmerc.com For more information on the Relay for Life of Pottstown visit www.pottstownrelayforlife.com.