The Clinton County Relay For Life has now officially kicked off another fundraising year to benefit cancer research for the American Cancer Society. This year, a fellow Clinton Countian will be leading the way for not only this county but five others as well, as Amanda Messer has been introduced as the new Community Manager for the area which is comprised of six total counties.

Although the Clinton County Relay For Life Committee has already held two meetings, the official kick-off was set at its second meeting last Tuesday evening, September 29. The event was scheduled for this past Tuesday night, October 6 during the Clinton County vs. Cumberland County volleyball games at The Castle. (The event was held too late for press deadline but more information and photos will be published in next week’s Clinton County News.)

During that kick-off event, cancer survivors who attended were recognized and there was also a booth set up in the lobby of the gymnasium that gave out information about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society. Anyone interested in an opportunity to either start or become part of, an existing Relay team, where encouraged to participate.

Messer, wife of Clinton County High School boys’ head basketball coach and Foothills Academy Principal Todd Messer, is no stranger to her new role as community manager for the six county area out of the Bowling Green and Somerset regions, having worked in the same capacity 10 years ago in the eastern part of Kentucky.

Some Relay events have already taken place, including Tuesday night’s kick-off and a recent Football Fights Cancer night where cancer survivors were recognized at a home football game.

A few team captains were on hand at last Tuesday night’s meeting, as well as Terri Lawson, Regional Director of Relay For Life. Lawson announced that their website was now open and available for teams to sign up at relayforlife.org/clintonky.

The committee discussed some other upcoming events and fundraisers being planned, including jewelry candle sales, events at upcoming games including during the basketball season and Spirit Week that takes place at each school in the spring.

Several teams will also be selling t-shirts and be able to count the sales as part of their team’s overall collection totals.

Last year, there were nine teams that took part in the local Relay For Life fundraising, and the committee discussed ways of getting more people and organizations, such as businesses, the medical community and churches involved.

In 2015, the Clinton County Relay For Life raised an unofficial total of $55,437, some $5,000 above 2014 and over $4,000 above the goal they had set of $51,000.00

The actual Relay For Life event, which had a carnival theme this past year, was held outdoors at the high school before moving inside the gymnasium at night, and was limited to 10 p.m., as opposed to some years past when the event went from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.

The next meeting of the Clinton County Relay For Life is scheduled for Monday, October 26 at 5 p.m. at the Early Childhood Center. During the meeting they will set a theme for next spring’s event, set a goal they hope to raise, and possibly a date for the main event.

Anyone interested in forming a team, joining a team or helping to raise funds in any way for the ACS can contact Messer or any committee member.