Ortonville- Eat a slice of pizza while taking a bite out of cancer.
The first annual Pizzapalooza, a fundraiser and kick-off event for Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville, will be from 6-8 p.m., Feb. 11 at the Old Town Hall, 486 Mill St.
While the open house is free to all who want to learn about the American Cancer Society’s signature event, guests who want to partake in pizza can make a $10 donation and enjoy pies from area restaurants including Jet’s, MacPhee’s, and Papa Bella’s, as well as vote for their favorite.
‘We wanted to give teams an opportunity to fundraise and show how easy it is,? said Megan Simms, ACS community manager for Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville. ‘It doesn’t have to be a crazy, elaborate plan. Anyone who comes to the event can say who invited them and that team will get the $10 donation? or, start your own team and use the money to jumpstart your fundraiser.?
The kick-off will detail how area residents can get involved in the 2016 Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville, set for 10 a.m.-midnight, June 18, at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School. This is the ninth year for the American Cancer Society’s fundraising event in this area. The relay invites volunteers to form teams and take turns walking a track for the duration of the event. Each team collects donations from sponsors to commit to the fight against cancer. Last year, Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville collected $32,000 in donations to be used for research and ACS programs that support those battling the disease.
The theme of this year’s Relay for Life is ‘Paint your world purple,? a reference to the event’s signature color, which also represents hope. At the Feb. 11 kick-off event, there will be an inspirational video featuring the theme to get attendees excited about Relay. Simms acknowledges that keeping attendance high at Relay events is a struggle, but one she hopes to overcome, as the need for Relay is just as great as it has ever been.
‘Cancer is still prevalent in all of our lives,? said Simms. ‘Very rarely can someone say they haven’t been touched by cancer. We need to continue the hard work we have started, we are making progress and research breakthroughs, but we need to work hard to keep up the fight. Every day someone new is diagnosed, and that person may be in Ortonville and they need to know the ACS and their community are there for them.?
Interested pizza vendors can still participate in the Feb. 11 kick-off, and Simms invites all the in the community who are interested in forming a team, or signing up for an existing one, or just in learning more about Relay for Life, to attend the open house at the Old Town Hall.
For more information, call Simms at 248-663-3508, email megan.simms@cancer.org or visit relayforlife.org/brandonmi.