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Running the show
1/18/2012 10:04:48 AM
By Kelly Moore
Splash Staff Writer
Profiles:
Debbie Long
Last August, Liberty Lake celebrated its inaugural Relay For Life event with a skeleton crew of volunteers. The event went down with only four chair positions filled on the planning committee and still managed to raise more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.
As efforts for the second year start to ramp up, organizers are enjoying the benefits of added interest and manpower.
Almost all chair positions are filled with the event still about six months away, including the event chair designated as the go-to leader. Ten-year Liberty Lake resident Debbie Long stepped in at the helm last fall, and volunteers are starting to rally under her guidance. Advertisement
The Splash caught up with Long to find out more about what's in store for the second annual event and how people can get involved.
Q: So how did you get reeled into this responsibility?
A: Well actually, there was an article in The Splash. It was talking about filling up committee positions for the Relay, so I actually cut it out and put it on my desk so I'd remember to call. Probably a week or two went by, and I totally forgot about it.
I hadn't done any kind of volunteering since I moved to this area, and that was about 10 years ago. I was telling my friend, "It's time to do something."
A couple days later, that friend saw something about Relay and called me up. She said, "Hey just saw something, and I think it's perfect for you."
It was kind of funny how it worked out. I stopped what I was doing and called Liberty Lake's American Cancer Society representative.
Q: What kind of volunteer work had you done before moving here?
A: I did a lot of volunteer work with my kids when I lived in the Seattle area - Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, military drill team, soccer, baseball, basketball, Boys and Girls Club, PTA.
I did Girls Scouts of America for 11 years, and I was a troop leader that entire time. I was also cookie chair for the region - that's probably where I was most involved.
Q: Did you learn any skills during any of that experience that you feel you could apply to this event?
A: Oh, I think so. A couple things I've learned are important, like staying on task. I know I can't take everything on, but I have to know everything is still getting done. The more people you talk to and can get involved, the smoother things run.
That's what I've seen. When you're chairing an event, you're not necessarily taking on the whole thing, but doing little bits and piece and filling in the holes.
Q: Personally, what drew you to Relay?
A: My dad passed away from colon cancer five years ago. It's obviously something that's very near and dear to my heart, but I just think there are so many people that are touched by it. Who doesn't know somebody that's been affected by cancer?
Q: I know efforts are just now getting ramped up for the 2012 event, but what are you working on now?
A: I think the biggest thing we have going on is getting ready for the kick off. It'll be 1-4 p.m. Feb. 11 at True Legends Grill. It'll be an opportunity for teams to get registered, and maybe we'll form some teams and get the word out.
It'll be an open house event so people can stop in at any time to get signed up or just get information.
Q: Aside from starting a team, are there any other opportunities for people to still get involved?
A: Definitely! We still need a logistics chair, online chair and maybe another person to help with the team development chair. Aside from that, we hope to form subcommittees to help out our chair people. If something interests you, we can plug you into an area. There are lots of opportunities for people to help out.
We don't want to push people into an area they're not suited for. Say someone is interested in entertainment; we can always get them plugged in on an entertainment committee.
Q: Is there a certain skill set that would be particularly helpful?
A: I think anyone energetic that can make the commitment and carry through with it. I don't think there's a particular skill set. I know a really organized person would fit well into the logistics chair.
Q: Talking more about the event itself, what is Relay For Life all about?
A: In 1985, a doctor named Gordy Klatt chose to fight back against cancer by walking, jogging and running around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and that is how the Relay For Life movement was born. This year, more than 4 million people will come together in 6,100 Relay events around the world to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against this disease.
At the Relay event, teams of people usually camp out at a local high school or park and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, the American Cancer Society Relay for life is an overnight event that lasts up to 24 hours. Each team is asked to have someone on the track at all times during the event.
I know the overnight aspect really scares some people away, but the heart of Relay is really about 6-10 p.m. That's when the magic really happens. If you show up for any of it, then that's when you should come out.
Q: What is a typical event like?
A: Every event is personalized by the community and whatever activities we plan throughout the evening. The standard is to welcome everyone with in an opening ceremony, then survivors kick off the walking with a lap around the track, then we do a caretakers lap where close friends and family join the survivors and then the teams all jump in for the official opening lap.
The walking continues throughout the event, along with family games, activities and entertainment. After the sun sets, we have a luminaria ceremony to honor loved ones who have passed away or are fighting the disease. The whole thing closes with a fight back ceremony in the morning, where teams take a final lap and pledge to take action and spread awareness.
It's definitely more of an experience than an event. Once you've been to one, you'll understand what I mean.
Q: Do you have any particular plans in the works for this year's event yet?
A. The event is scheduled for July 20 and 21 at the Meadowwood Technology Campus. So far, we've determined our theme - A World Without Cancer. Teams will be encouraged to pick a country and dress up and decorate their sites based on what they choose.
We'll have lots of entertainment, and we're hoping to include more youth activities this year.
Q: Well, if people are interested in getting involved, where is a good starting point?
A: Everyone is welcome to get in touch with me. My number is 255-9488, and my e-mail is deb.long62@gmail.com.
They can always find more information and form teams on our website too: www.relayforlife.org/libertylakewa.
Profiles:
Debbie Long
Age
49
Family
Husband, Rich Rivas; three children; four grandchildren
Favorite movie
"When Harry Met Sally"
Can't wait to read
"Does the Noise in my Head Bother You?" by Steven Tyler
Most daring moment
Ran barefoot through Costa Rican jungle
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