Seahawks set to fight cancer at Relay for Life

South Walton High School joins hands with the community to honor those who have won and lost their battles with cancer.

Event chair Alicia Keeter has high hopes for this year’s event.

"Our overall goal for this year is $44,000," she said. "We are falling a little short right now, but we still have time."

The SWHS Relay for Life event will take place March 27, from 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the football stadium, with all proceeds being donated to the American Cancer Society.

In anticipation of this year’s event, Keeter and organizer Valerie Brunson will be holding a "Scoops for a Cause" fundraiser March 21 at Kilwin's Ice Cream in Grand Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Brunson, who is team captain for the “SWHS Band Nerds team,” said this is a way for people to come out and support a great cause while enjoying some ice cream.

"A lot of our kids have worked at Kilwin’s or still work there," Brunson said, "and they have graciously offered to donate 10 percent of their total sales for the day to our team."

Kilwin's owner Kirsten Kincaid Nykamp said her store has been doing Scoops for a Cause since last fall and looks forward to the upcoming fundraiser.

"It just feels good to help out a good cause like this," she said. "We are really hoping to have a good turnout this year."

The Band Nerds will also have a table outside of Kilwin's where people can learn more about the event and register as survivors.

Keeter said in addition to the funds donated by Kilwin's, $500 was collected during a recent Bucket Brigade fundraiser held at the intersection of Hwy. 393 and 30A.

"We made that in three hours," Keeter said. "We were ecstatic. We looked like a bunch of bank robbers counting our loot."

The annual event is a way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Brunson said survivors will be honored by taking the first lap and then a luminaria ceremony later in the evening will honor those who lost their battle with cancer.

"We are going to have luminary bags around the entire track," Brunson said, "and the word hope spelled out with luminaries in the bleachers. This is going to be a special event and we hope to get the community involved as much as possible."

For more information about the SWHS Relay for Life, or to sign up/make a donation, visit www.relayforlife.org/swfl.