Davison was proud to support the Riverview Relay for Life as a corporate sponsor and through the participation of our creative “Dare to Invent” team at the 24-hour event. The largest fundraiser in the world, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer and remember loved ones lost, while fighting for a cure.
Young “Relayers” were continually visiting the “Dare to Invent” site to test their skills at a Nerf dart shooting game and an Einstein “brain bag” toss game. Kids who got a bulls eye or got the “brains” inside Einstein’s head (making a light bulb light up) got to pick out a toy (the movie star sunglasses were a hit!). They also had fun coloring and putting together models of T-Rex, pterodactyl and stegosaurus from cardboard pop-out kits. The games and activities were created by Davison designers.
Team members did a great job for first-timers, putting in a lot of effort and laps around the track. A heavy downpour and thunderstorm during the night didn’t dampen their spirits. “We’ve got bigger and better plans for next year and hope to triple the size of our team and activities,” said the captain, Jonathon.
In addition to the company’s sponsorship and employee donations, the team raised money through the games and the raffling off of Davison products and a stack of Inventionland books. Several team members also purchased luminaries to honor loved ones who have battled cancer. During the moving ceremony, glowing luminaries marked with the names of individuals who have battled cancer lined the track and were placed on the bleachers to convey “HOPE.”
The Riverview Relay had a goal of raising at least $103,000 to reach a total of $1 million in its 11th year. However, during the final count on Sunday morning, they were about $6,000 short of their goal – but, at the last minute someone came out with an anonymous $10,000 check! “Overall the event raised $106,014, which is absolutely incredible!” reported the captain. “It was really touching and sort of like what you see in movies,” added Emily, a team member. “Overall, it was a great time, and hopefully next year will be even bigger.”
That is certain, as ambitious plans are already in the works for the 2012 Relay for Life. Hint – it’s going to involve a lot more Nerf guns, targets and dinosaurs – and even more fun!