The Northland Auto Group has offered a new Jeep Cherokee on Wednesday, as a giveaway prize for this year's participants in the annual Relay For Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Northland owner Brent Marshall explained that participants will have their names entered in the draw each time they raise $500. For example, if a participant raised $2,000 for the relay, their name would go into the draw four times.
"This is so beneficial. It is an incentive like no other," said Canadian Cancer Society local fundraising team leader Helen Owen, who said last year this was done with a Dodge Dart and the event saw a 25 per cent spike in cash donations.
"Last year, Prince George was second in Canada [for relay fundraising for cancer causes] and that just wasn't good enough for me," said Marshall. "We have come second more than once. I donated that Dodge Dart to try to get us over the top and we missed it by only a few thousand dollars so I really want to nail it down this year with this exceptional vehicle - something I think people will work towards, for the benefit of the Canadian Cancer Society."
There is a Relay For Life in many cities and towns across the country. It is the single biggest fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Prince George's is the only one that operates 24 hours, and despite being in the mix with all the major urban areas of the nation, Prince George is consistently near the top of the donation charts year after year, not per capita but dollar for dollar. Marshall said his goal was to hit the top and "have Prince George named the most charitable city in Canada. We are already well on our way, and for a city of our size, that just shouldn't happen, but here we are so close already, because the people here are special and they invest in helping one another like no other community I've ever heard of."
The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Jeep Cherokee is about $26,000. Last year, the 24-Hour Relay For Life had 154 teams that raised almost $550,000. Of those many donors, only 226 participants surpassed the $500 mark for vehicle eligibility. Some of them raised many times that, improving their odds each time they did. The chances of winning the Jeep, said Marshall, are better than any lottery ticket or even local raffles, for those who hustle together $500 or more.
The relay is scheduled for Masich Stadium on May 10 and 11. The theme this year is "Las Vegas" and will have entertainment related to this to boost the spirits of the walkers who come out and do laps. Some people do a one-hour shift as part of a team, some have done all 24 hours by themselves.
This year's overall event sponsor is AllNorth. Ninety-eight teams and 840 participants have already signed up. Join the event ($20 registration fee, plus additional fundraising encouraged) online at www.relayforlife.ca.
