AEDC team supports Relay for Life

  • Published
  • By Dee Wolfe
  • AEDC Personnel Division
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Team "REMEMBER," from Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), participated in the Coffee County Relay for Life which was held on the small track at the Coffee County Fairgrounds on April 24.

Team REMEMBER raised more than $400 the night of the event and more than $1,800 this year for cancer research. Overall, the event sponsored by the American Cancer Society, included 11 teams who raised more than $25,000. 

Relay for Life is about honoring and celebrating those who have had cancer and, just as importantly, their caregivers who work so hard to help cancer victims while they fight the disease. Relay for Life is truly an inspiring event that raises money to help end cancer and promotes how individuals can reduce their cancer risk.

With the support of thousands of volunteers around the country, Relay for Life events, along with the American Cancer Society helps to save more than 500 lives each day and thousands of lives each year.

Team REMEMBER held a bake sale prior to the event and raised several hundred dollars thanks to the generosity of AEDC employees. The team raised money at the Relay event by offering chair massages provided by Colt Sain and two of his students, Brandy Moore and Renee Geiger, from the Georgia Career Institute in McMinnville.

In addition to the massages, attendees had the opportunity to Wreck-A-Car with sledgehammers. The car was donated by Rollins and Sons Towing and Automotive of Tullahoma.

Several AEDC employees volunteered their time. Due to everyone's dedication and assistance, the fundraising efforts for Team REMEMBER were a huge success, according to Shawn Wolfe, chief of the AEDC Military Personnel.

"The survivor lap and caregiver lap are emotional times for the participants," Wolfe said. "As cancer survivors circled the track for the survivor lap and as survivors and their caregivers circled the track for the caregiver lap, their friends, family and teammates were there to cheer them on. Several AEDC employees and their family members participated in the survivor and caregiver laps. Then, many of the volunteers joined Team REMEMBER on the track for the Team Lap. 

"We were so proud of all the people who participated in the relay event, and we hope the base's participation in the event continues to grow each year. Even though we had a very small team, we still raised over $1,800."

Wolfe has shared the team's participation coordination since 2009.

"We cannot say thank you enough to everyone who help make these events successful," he said.

Team REMEMBER is planning another bake sale and more information will be released at a later date.

The Coffee County Relay for Life teams will host a Live Auction at the Beans Creek Winery on June 27 and donations for this event are currently being accepted. For more information call 454-4313.

Team REMEMBER included the following members: Shawn, Dee and daughter Amber Wolfe; Brandi Harmon and Christie Madden.