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After a successful fundraising campaign last year, the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church Relay for Life team has plans to make an even bigger difference.

This six-year-old team is composed of 15 active members, all from Mt. Lebanon Baptist. It is currently co-captained by Linda Smith and Charlotte French, both of whom have family connections to cancer that give them a personal connection to Relay for Life and the America Cancer Society.

This past year Mt. Lebanon raised $14,643.61, making it first place winner in the Blount County Church Division for the third year in a row.

The team also received first place overall in Blount County for the first time. The team's goal for this year is $15,000, but if past trends say anything, the team should have no problem reaching it.

Most people think of actual relays when the organization is mentioned, such as the largest community event held annually at Maryville College in May, but the team works most of the year on other projects in order to raise money, such as lunches at the church and various sales.

Fundraiser today

One yearly tradition the group has is a book and media sale that is going on from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today at the Mt. Lebanon Guest Welcome Area. The items are donated by church and community members. Rather than pricing, the items are bought through donation, so individuals give what they are able and receive new books, CDs, and more.

The Mt. Lebanon team is also working with local restaurants to set up “dining out” days in which a certain percentage of money made will be donated to the Blount County Relay for Life. The first of these will be held on March 5 at Courtyard Grille on the Alcoa Highway. Ten percent of all profits made will be donated to the Cancer Society through Relay for Life, and no coupons are necessary.

As in years past, the Blount County Relay for Life plans to hold its main relay event at Maryville College in May. This year, however, will be slightly different. In past years the event has been an all-night function, starting in the afternoon and going until dawn. This year the event will be split into two days: May 21 from 3 p.m. to midnight, and May 22 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Smith and French stress that the event is for everyone, not just cancer patients, relay members and families affected by the disease.

“It's a community event,” French said."They have things for children to do and fun games. They have a couple stages set up for entertainment. I think some people think that if you're not a cancer survivor, or if you're not intimately involved with the fight against cancer you don't need to go, but it's an event for the whole family and the whole community. Just because you come doesn't mean you have to run or even walk the track. You can come to support the people.”