Around-the-Clock Support for "Relay For Life"

Rich Products' associates in North America and around the world take pride in their volunteerism and participation in a myriad activities that better their communities. One such event is the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life," which, for more than two decades, has celebrated the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering loved ones lost, and raising funds to fight back against the disease.

At local "Relay For Life" events, teams of people camp out at local schools, parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running laps around a track or path for up to 24 hours straight – because cancer never sleeps.

In 2010, a group of associates from Rich's Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, plant organized a massive campaign supporting the local "Relay For Life" effort, recruiting other associates, family members and friends. They also entered two all-women teams to participate in the event with a goal of collecting $3,000 per team in pledges.

The company's participants created imaginative team displays and wore red Rich's shirts adorned with the pink ribbon symbolizing the fight against breast cancer. The back of the shirts featured the slogan, "Our babes walk to fight cancer." Rich's baked products helped nourish the participants who walked around the clock.

When all was said and done, the Rich's relay teams and their supporters had raised more than $8,000 for the cause. And, thanks to additional donations, car washes, bake sales and other activities, the grand total raised by "Relay For Life" in Fort Erie topped $90,000.

Rich's Consumer Brands Division (CBD), located on St. Simons Island in Georgia, and Rich's Brunswick, Ga. manufacturing plant also have been strong supporters of "Relay For Life" since the event first debuted in the area in 1995. In 2011, these associates jointly led the community effort as the Presenting Sponsor of the annual campaign.

Along with a significant financial contribution, Rich's CBD and Brunswick plant combined to host several large fund-raisers throughout the year. More than 80 associates banded together to help stage events like “Bark for Life,” which included four-legged friends in a day of charitable giving; a children's pageant; a poker tournament; and a restaurant benefit. The donations gathered from the creative events and the events signature 24-hour walkathon raised more than $20,000 for the cause. The total raised overall for the "Relay For Life" of Glynn County was more than $300,000.

"Relay For Life" is billed as a life-changing event. As the 24 hours of running and walking unfold, cancer survivors are given the spotlight during the first lap, while loved ones who have succumbed to the disease are remembered with ceremonial candles and donations. Rich's is proud to support this meaningful dedication and critical initiative for the fight to cure cancer.