Wilton’s 2013 ‘Relay for Life’ on Life Support

Sixteen years makes something pretty much a traditional in a small town like Wilton. That’s how long the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” fundraiser has been a community event here.

But with volunteers, participants and most importantly, monetary donations, on a steady decline, Wilton may no longer see a Relay happen each May—and that has organizers very afraid.

“There’s been a big dive this year. We have fewer teams participating, we have less corporate and business sponsorship and support. We have less money coming in. We’ve seen a big decline, and it alarms us. We can’t understand what’s happening,” said organizing committee member Sara Augenbraun.

“We can't do this without the help of the community,” echoed Christine Chalfant, the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) community executive who works with the Wilton volunteers. “The Wilton Relay is one of the original relays in CT and is a staple to the American Cancer Society Connecticut Region. However, if the event continues to decline Wilton is in risk of not having a Relay to hold anymore.”

Scheduled this year for May 17-18, the Relay for Life is an overnight event with participating teams walking around the track at Wilton High School throughout the evening. There are various programs held throughout the night—a survivor’s dinner, a luminaria lighting, a DJ, Acoustic Wilton performances, kids’ activities, and a large Zumba dance class, among others—with all activities geared to raising money to fund the American Cancer Society’s cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support programs.

Organizers are afraid that current signs point to decreased results for the upcoming relay, based on the number of teams that have registered to participate to date and the dollar amounts already raised, compared to the results of years past. They say the situation is dire.

According to numbers provided by the ACS, in 2010 Wilton’s Relay raised $172,378 with 712 individual participants and 77 teams; in 2011, 708 participants on 78 teams raised $170,088. However, the following year (2012) numbers took a significant downward turn—only 55 teams (562 participants) collected a total of $152,223, or a 12 percent drop over the two years.

As of press time, the ACS had collected only $31,265 for the 2013 Relay, with only four weeks left to recruit participating walkers.  In order to reach this year’s goal of $160,000, Relay organizers say they’d need to bring in almost $5,000 per day. “We can’t do this without the help of the community,” urged Chalfant.

Sponsors and volunteers desperately needed

Given the economic landscape of the last several years, organizers know that they’re competing for fewer dollars against other worthy charities, many of them cancer fundraisers too. The competition includes Relay for Life walks in nearby communities as well as various other local fundraising walks, such as Susan G. Komen, Wittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, the Avon walk and others. “If you look back to when this started, this was the only thing there was. That isn’t the case anymore,” said committee member Mary Ann Lutz.

“We do not have enough business sponsors helping us. The ones that do are great and are dedicated, but we’re disappointed in how little people get involved. The ones that do are wonderful—Connecticut Coffee always helps us. One year all the shops by Village Luncheonette formed a team; Open House has had a team. Village Market is wonderful to us, they are really so supportive. Many other wilton stores have been great, they give items for the gift bags for the survivor tents,” Lutz said, adding, “People will give things, but what we really need is people to give time. There are only six people this year volunteering for the committee.”

One element that is also affecting donations, say organizers—money that’s been promised or given to efforts to help Newtown families. “That and there are fewer volunteers to organize and get the word out,” said Augenbraun.

It would be great to have more participation from everyone in town, businesses and individual participants,” Lutz added, noting it’s the Relay’s “Sweet 16” year—“It would be great for new people to get involved.”

There’s the context for people to remember as well:  cancer affects everyone. Organizers hope that Wilton residents will remember that fact as motivation to step up and help.

“The thing about cancer, it’s universal to every age, said Augenbraun. ”You can’t find someone that hasn’t been affected, who doesn’t say, ‘My sister had it. My mother did. My father, my uncle, my child had it and was cured.’ It’s so universal, it’s no longer secret, people talk about it. So it would be lovely to see the businesses of this town, and the adults of this town step up and serve for a year on the committee.”

Participants are welcome to participate in any way that would be beneficial—form a team, donate, come cheer the participants on, bring your children to get their faces painted, and of course to volunteer. “People need to start to get involved for next year,” Augenbraun added.

To find out more about Wilton’s Relay for Life, visit their website.