Vinton is PURPLE!

First off I have seriously failed updating this blog, that is what happens when the little free time you have is devoted to wedding planning and sleeping...whoops...sorry

Now on to the post!

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When Vinton turns purple it's not just putting purple bows on buildings, it means

Vinton Relayed April 20-21st, and the weather was perfect! For setup the weather was gorgeous, sunny but not hot, and it did not rain once.  So now when Vinton Relays it's not just a few people that show up to a Relay in a small town, nope, it's more like 600 people show up and they want to Relay! we had survivors being presented with grommets from old American flags, and fireman selling food like there was no tomorrow, and an atmospher unlike any other community Relay I have been apart of.  This event may only be 4 years old but it is already a well oiled machine that can run an event without my help.  The students from the high school show up with their classes during the day to help setup the field, the luminarias are brought in on a flat bad filled and organized, and the committee directs the materials to the right place with ease.

I set a goal for this event but that goal was too low for this community.  We wanted to them to do better than they did in 2011 where they raised $86,275.  Not only did they pass that, so far they have passed it by almost $10,000!!! The event is about $4500 away from breaking $100,000 for the first time in the event's history.  Last year the event had a per cap of about $11.04, this year they are already over $12.00 and probably on their way to having the #1 per cap in the state of Virginia for the THIRD year in a row.  With the way this event fundraises and comes together, it surprises me everytime I think about the fact that it's only 4 years old, that they have been Relaying in Vinton for 4 years.  Yes, many have attended the Roanoke Relay for years but this event is not like the Roanoke Relay, it's a small town Relay with a big Relay heart.

Each letter sold for $250!

Highlights from this year's event:
- Roughly 3000+ luminaria lined the track
- Medi-vac helicopter landed to bring the guest speakers from Carilion
- Every school within the Town of Vinton limits participated in Relay and raised at least $212
- Student liaison on the committee to keep the high school teams more involved
- Passing goal just after the event!

If you are ever in the Roanoke area in the middle of April, check out this event!

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Until We Find a Cure