OKANOGAN-The Okanogan Country Relay for Life is hosting a kick-off party in the Okanogan High School cafeteria on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

“The kick-off party is to get everybody geared up for next year’s relay, to get more teams involved and more sponsors,” Angela Crowson, event chair for the Okanogan Country Relay for Life, said. “We let people know how they can register for a team or become involved as a volunteer.”

Crowson said people who attend the kick-off party also receive the benefit of registering their team for only $75. In December, the registration fee increases to $100 and in January, the fee becomes $150. Corporate sponsors who donate $200 will have their name in the program and on the t-shirt while also sponsoring a team of eight to ten members. Sponsors who donate $500 will have their name and company logo on the t-shirt and in the program as well as sponsoring two teams of eight to ten members.

“Also, anybody can pay $100 to be listed in the program as a friend of Relay,” Crowson said.

The kick-off party is for the Relay for Life race at the Okanogan High School track on May 15 and 16 of next year and the proceeds go to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“We really encourage everyone to get out there and learn about this,” Crowson said. “We also encourage survivors to come out for the survivor lap. Our goal for 2009 is to raise $69,000.”