By Tina Seiler
The Mansfield Relay For Life Planning Committee is proud to announce this year’s fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, held June 13 – 14, has raised nearly $140,000 so far, to bring our 10-year total to more than $3 million.
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All of us on the committee are deeply thankful and humbled by the support of the community.
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Despite the rain at the event, despite an increasing number of worthy causes all competing for our attention – and our dollars – the residents and businesses in and around Mansfield did an amazing job in the fight against cancer. This year, we had 54 teams and 688 participants take up the cause. Cancer is a thing much bigger than us, and we are so appreciative that everyone came together to do his or her part.
Where Does The Money Go
For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. It works to help people get well, stay well and find cures for the more than 100 diseases defined as cancer.
Money raised in the Mansfield Relay For Life goes toward cancer research, the Hope Lodge (including the facility in Boston) that provides accommodations for people seeking treatment, Road To Recovery patient transportation, Look Good Feel Better appearance and self-image support and Reach To Recovery that matches breast cancer survivors with those newly diagnosed, and to many more preventative and patient care services.
Business Supporters
Corporate sponsors for this year’s Mansfield Relay For Life included: Mansfield Bank, Pro's Car Care Complex, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Covidien, Harbor One Credit Union, Hannaford Bros. Co., North Easton Savings Bank, Mutual Oil, The Sun Chronicle and Isaac's Moving and Storage.
We were also pleased and fortunate to work with many in-kind vendors including: Aunt Aleda’s Bakery and Country Kitchen, Bertucci’s, BJ’s, Cibo Matto Café, Costco, Cousin’s Pizza, Cupcake Town, Dennis Sinclaire, Dunkin’ Donuts, Edible Arrangements, Flint Farm, Hannaford Bros. Co., Honey Dew Donuts, John Hallgren, Mansfield Mothers’ Club, Mansfield Elks, Mansfield Variety and Deli, Mansfield VFW, Papa Gino’s, Pepsi Bottling Co., PieZoni’s, Roche Brothers, Shaw’s, Sheryl Iandoli, Stefano’s Pizza, Tedeschi’s and White’s Pastry.
Amazing Volunteers
A special thank you goes to the Town of Mansfield, Mansfield High School, Bob LaConte and his custodial staff and to Carol D’Ambra and Dawn Langtry and the staff of the Mansfield Food Service. Without their help this event could not take place.
We are forever grateful to our DJs Brian Delano and Chris Zahner of Get Your Groove on Productions and their crew and volunteers for again keeping us going throughout the 18-hour event.
A grateful shout out also goes to the Mansfield High School football team and the Southern New England Rage players for their help with unloading and security.
We’d like to thank Mansfield Girl Scouts for donating their time to be hush angels during our luminaria ceremony, and Mansfield Boy Scouts volunteers who cleaned up the Mansfield High School track and grounds in the morning.
As always, thanks go to Mansfield Firefighters Local 1820 for the yummy pancake and sausage breakfasts they provided this, and every, year.
Raffle Donors
And, a big thank you to our Raffle Tent donors, including: Boston Duck Tours, Brown Chiropractic Center, Children’s Museum of Easton, Clark’s Trading Post, Cooper’s Jewelers, CVS, Deutsche Bank Championship, francesca’s, glee gifts, Health Through Hands, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Mansfield Cable Access, Melissa’s Fancy Fruits, New England Aquarium, Newton Street Designs, NRG Lab, Peabody Essex Museum, Pine Paks Golf Course / Joe & Leigh’s, Prudential Sky Walk, Romm Diamonds, Salem Witch Museum, Six Flags New England, Southwick’s Zoo, SpaRenity Storyland, Sue Jackson and the Council on Aging knitting, crocheting and craft group, Swan Boats, The Butterfly Place, The House of the Seven Gables, The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, The Pro’s Car Care Complex, The Strand Salon & Day Spa, Twisted Scissors, York’s Wild Kingdom, plus Relay teams and others who donated on-site at the event.
How You Can Help
Last, but certainly not least, I am so impressed by the great job the members of the Planning Committee did! I am proud to work with such a dedicated group of individuals. All are welcome to join the planning committee for next year. Please email MansfieldRelayForLife@gmail.com to learn more.
So many groups and individuals contributed to the event, we apologize if we’ve missed any here; you are appreciated!
Any donations made through August 31 are credited toward this year's event. If you are able to donate, please visit http://www.RelayForLife.org/MansfieldMA.
Tina Seiler is chairman of this year’s Mansfield Relay For Life.