Relay for Life plans underway for Ripley County
REMC prepares for annual event

Using the theme Fighting for a cure through the power of human connections, the Southeastern Indiana REMC has been hard at work, according to team captain B.J. Myers, raising funds for the American Cancer Society's 10th Annual Relay for Life.

During the year the REMC has had raffles, luncheons, dress-up days, employee cookbook sales, tricks & treats sales, Valentines Day treat sales, departmental penny wars, massages, a memory/honor tree, best pumpkin pie eating contest, booths at the company picnic and the annual meeting and a golf outing.

We try to incorporate an element of fun in everything we do, said Myers. We used the power of human connections with our theme because that is what the Relay represents to us.

Nothing that everyone participating in Relay for Life has a personal reason, Myers said, It's the human connection that makes the event so powerful.

Last year the REMC team won the Most Original Tent award at Relay for Life with their theme Survivor. This year the tent theme will be The skies the limit, which Myers explained will be carried out as a replica of the Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon.

As their onsite fundraising activity, the REMC team will sell Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon pins that light up and blink. These pins were worn by employees during the company's recent annual meeting and seemed to be a big hit with the members, said Myers.

For the Mis-ter Relay contest this year, George Bultman will represent the REMC team. George is a cancer survivor and is very willing to help in any way, Myers noted. He has put together the perfect outfit for the event and is working on perfecting his talent at this time.

Explaining that REMC employees are passionate about supporting the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Myers explained that all of them have family and friends whose lives have been touched by cancer. Three of the employees Bultman, Marsha Comer, and Eugene Wagner are actual cancer survivors.

We are dedicated to doing our part to help eliminate cancer by raising the necessary funds for research, education, and service, said Myers. We are proud to be a part of a community that is taking up the fight against cancer and helping to save the lives of those we love.

This year, as always, we will be walking in honor and memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer and providing hope to those who are currently battling the disease, added Myers.

Comments from some of the members of the REMC Relay Team follow:

The Relay for Life involves our board and workforce in a team effort to support cancer research and hopefully find cures or at least provide treatments that lead to long-term remissions. Cancer has personally touched all families including mine (myself and my two daughters.) My spouse passed away seven years ago from a rare form of cancer multiplemyeloma. Bob Mackey, General Manager.

I got started in Relay for Life because both my parents had cancer. They are survivors. I continue to walk to fight the fight for many other relatives and friends who have or have had cancer. Terri Stolze, Team Co-Captain.

My interest in Relay for Life began when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was a very special lady and we all hope for a miracle to save someone you love. Research is very important to finding those miracles. Research takes a lot of funding. Carlyn Wilburn.

I have walked in almost every Relay for Life in Batesville. In the past few years the Relay has taken on anew meaning for me as both my husband and my mother were diagnosed with colon cancer. I am proud to show my support for the American Cancer Society by walking in the Relay. This year I will walk in memory of my loved ones. Darlene Davidson.