The 2017 Clinton County Relay For Life main event is still five months away, but that is not stopping a host of volunteers, including individuals, schools and others from getting an early start on fundraising, with some events having already been held, many more on tap in the coming months, and fundraisers of some type going on almost continually.

The Relay For Life committee held a brief final meeting of 2016 last Thursday evening at the Extension Office and discussed ongoing fundraisers and announced the theme for next year’s Relay, among other business.

Relay For Life Community Manager Amanda Messer, who announced last month that Clinton County had actually met and slightly exceeded its goal for 2016–raising a final total of $50,130, or $130 above the goal set, indicated fundraising already was off to a good start with about $10,000 having already been raised to this point in the campaign.

The 2017 goal will be even a little loftier, being set for $52,000.

Messer also announced that the local Relay website was up and running that gives up-to-date information about Clinton County’s fundraising for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. The site may be accessed at www.relayforlife.org/clintonky. People can also keep up with the Relay For Life via Facebook.

The 2017 theme will be built around Disney movies with the logo “Hoping For a Happily Every After.”

Messer also announced that the Somerset regional office, due apparently to lack of participation in the area was closing. However, the Lake Cumberland Regional Recreation Center will be offering and fitting wigs for cancer patients, she said. “(Cancer) research is important,” she noted, saying, “finding a cure is the main goal.”

Messer also announced the recent “Purple in the Pulpit” day held Sunday, November 13 was very successful with several churches participating, some of which took up collections for the Relay For Life campaign.

As of last week, four teams were on board thus far, including Keystone Foods, Clinton County High School, Clinton County Middle School and Albany Elementary School with more to be added as time goes by.

The committee also discussed some ongoing fundraisers, particularly those going on in the participating schools and “Pink Out” nights which are held at CCHS and middle school sporting events throughout the school year, including volleyball, football and basketball.

Currently, for example, the high school is selling popcorn and the Early Childhood Center is selling Tupperware as a means of raising money.

The 2017 Relay For Life program is tentatively set for Friday, April 12 from approximately 4-10 p.m. at CCHS and will include a survivor dinner and all other events associated with the program each year.

The next meeting date is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 12 at 5 p.m. at the Extension Office and all team captains or anyone interested in volunteering in any way are invited to attend.

For more information about entering a team, how to volunteer or make donations or general information about Relay For Life in Clinton County may visit the aforementioned website or by contacting Messer or any Relay committee member.