Randolph-Macon College has a long tradition of giving back. Student organizations regularly perform community service, often partnering with neighboring communities as they help others. During the weekend of May 7-8, 2016, RMC’s Relay for Life organization did just that, with 24 teams raising $18,632.80 to benefit the American Cancer Society. At Relay for Life events, volunteers across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have died.

Photos: Relay for Life

Generosity + Partnerships
At the 12-hour event, teams set up fundraising tables, and members took turns walking around RMC’s Brock Gymnasium Center Track. Activities and games provided entertainment for all ages, and participants enjoyed musical performances by Macon Melodies, a student group of acapella singers that was founded in September 2015, and by Derek Dittmar ’16.

Thanks to the generosity of the RMC and Ashland communities, students have a fundraising goal of $23,000 and so far have raised over $18,000—something that makes Relay for Life co-chair Raven Brown ’17 very happy.

“We cannot thank everyone enough,” says Brown. “It was terrific to see the RMC and Ashland communities participate in this great event. Everyone was so generous, and we inspired and energized each other. For example, at 12 a.m. we had our luminaria ceremony to recognize those we have lost to cancer. Afterwards, we reminded everyone that we were halfway through with our Relay event—then we had a ‘glow dance party’ and danced until we couldn’t dance anymore.””

Local Ashland restaurants, including the Ironhorse Restaurant, Homemades by Suzanne, and Domino’s Pizza, donated food and other items for the event. A community yard sale several weeks ago, held at RMC, raised additional funds for the American Cancer Society.

A Meaningful Event
LaChelle Lewis ’12, development office assistant, is the advisor for RMC’s Relay for Life chapter.

“I am very proud of this year’s Relay for Life committee for their leadership and hard work,” says Lewis. “These students, with the guidance of Co-chairs Raven Brown ’17 and Margaret Riggs ’16, were able to bring the campus and Ashland community together for a great cause. The American Cancer Society helps so many people who suffer from cancer, as well as caregivers and families of those diagnosed with cancer. Relay for Life is more than just fundraising. It is an opportunity to come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has taken too much from so many people across this world. I’m honored that I got to work with so many wonderful student leaders and to be a part of such a meaningful event.”

Other members of RMC’s Relay for Life chapter executive board are: Margaret Rigg ’16 (co-chair); Alexandra Walker ’17, Patricia Manga ’16, and Rachael Church ’17 (entertainment chairs); Scott Rhodes ’18 (food chair); Simone Beaty ’18 (recruitment chair); Margaret Lenz ’19 (luminaria chair); Lauren Estell ’19 (education chair); Cory Fore ’17 (sponsorship chair); Sheridan Skurupey ’18, (fundraising chair); Shelby Jacobs ’18 (survivorship chair); and Kenneth Atkins ’17 (faculty chair).