Plant City making plans for 2011 Relay for Life

The Relay for Life organizing committee that will stage next year's fundraising event is hosting a 2010 Team Captain Reunion at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Plant City High School's Media Center.

This reunion will offer an opportunity to share in the celebration of a successful 2010 Relay for Life. Those attending will also hear the 2011 Honorary Chairs speak and learn what the event goals will be for the upcoming year.

Hunter Gambrell, the 2011 Relay chairman, said the committee is off and running.

"Last night, (Aug. 30) was our second committee meeting and we covered a lot of ground," Gambrell said. "I think it went extremely well. Many great ideas were shared by everyone on the committee. We are all very enthused to get 2011 Relay going, and we are all focused on working as a team to get the community even more involved with our upcoming Relay."

Gambrell said the next big step is to get all of the past teams registered again for the 2011 American Cancer Society fundraiser.

"That is what the early bird meeting is all about," Gambrell said

The Relay in Plant City has been growing in participation for more than a decade. In 2010 the Plant City fundraiser ranked fourth in the state, narrowly missing its goal of $250,000.

"We have consistently been the top fundraising Relay in Hillsborough County, and in the top five in the state," Gambrell said. "I am confident that Plant City will help us stay on top."

Cathy Vallianatos, the American Cancer Society representative four southeast Hillsborough County, was at the Aug. 30 meeting at Bruton Memorial Library.

"The meeting went very well. The Plant City committee is an excellent group of very dedicated and passionate people," Vallianatos said. "They are ready to bounce back into the Relay for Life season. From what I heard they have many wonderful new ideas to help diversify the event for participants and the Plant City community."

For information, contact Vallianatos at (813) 685-0670, ext. 5457 or cathy.vallianatos@cancer.org.

The Relay will be April 8 and 9 on the Plant City High campus.