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Elementary school program frequently asked questionsPlease click on the following links to find answers to the questions:
What do students do at Relay For Life?Relay For Life elementary is a flexible event that can be tailored to suit your school. You can decide to run a half-day or full-day event, your Canadian Cancer Society representative will show you sample event schedules that can be can be adapted to meet your needs. The entire school participates in Relay For Life elementary. Here’s what a typical Relay For Life elementary school event looks like…
What is a “luminary”?A luminary is dedicated to the memory of someone who has lost his/her life to cancer, or to the life of someone who is living with cancer or has survived the disease. A luminary is comprised of a small candle that is placed in a white, fire-retardant bag. An individual or a class may purchase a luminary, and write a special message on the white bag (or decorate the bag with pictures or designs). Luminaries may be purchased for $5 each, and all luminaries are showcased at the Relay For Life event to celebrate and remember those whose names appear on the luminaries. In what kinds of activities will students partake at the event?To promote a healthy lifestyle during play, we encourage a mix of activities that will ensure that students are physically active and educated about cancer throughout the event. The specific events are up to you. In the past, schools have had students take turns walking around the school (following the “Relay” theme) or play team-based activities and sports. Your Canadian Cancer Society representative will gladly work with you to determine the events that will work best for your school’s event. What is the format of the event?
We ask that every Relay For Life include those important elements included above (Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Survivors’ Victory Lap/Ceremony, Luminary Ceremony, educational and physical activity). The actual format of the event is up to your creativity. The event can take many formats: from a half-day event to a full-day to an event that spans more than one day; from indoor to outdoor activities; from cross-grade team activities to activities where students participate with their classroom peers. Your Canadian Cancer Society representative will offer you suggested event formats that you may adapt to your school. When should I hold the event at my school?
Generally, the event is held outdoors during the spring months in the past, schools have held the event in April, May or June. Depending on your school’s preference, however, your event can be held at any time of year. Events are usually held during class hours. Can I run this event at a French school?
As of early 2008 (in plenty of time for a spring 2008 event), our Elementary Kit will be available in French, including the easy-to-follow planning guide and all 70-plus curriculum-based lesson plans. This means that you should have no difficulties running an event at a French or bilingual school! For more information on our French materials, please contact Kristi MacGibbon at 1 800 268-8874 ext. 2320 or relayyouth@ontario.cancer.ca. What does the Canadian Cancer Society provide to my school for the event
The Canadian Cancer Society will provide all necessary materials to run your event, including: planning guides, pledge envelopes for fund collection, balloons and posters, fundraising prizes, luminary candles and luminary bags, a light snack for students and staff at the event (at the school’s request), and school recognition items. These items are provided free of charge. In addition, your Canadian Cancer Society representative is available via phone or e-mail for consultation and advice, and can arrange in-person visits for more extensive meetings. How does the student fundraising process work?
Your Canadian Cancer Society representative will provide you with a pledge envelope for each student at your school. Students may ask family, friends and close neighbours for donations to support the Canadian Cancer Society and their participation in the Relay For Life event. Due to safety reasons, we ask that students not go door-to-door to collect funds. The pledge envelopes are then collected from the students and the funds tallied by the school before being deposited in a Canadian Cancer Society bank account. How are the funds collected and remitted to the Canadian Cancer Society?
We currently have set up a fund collection process whereby staff at the school can collect the fundraising money from students and deposit it directly into a Canadian Cancer Society bank account, simply by visiting their local Royal Bank branch. The Canadian Cancer Society provides you with the necessary materials and training to perform this task. Do donors receive tax receipts for their donations?
The Canadian Cancer Society automatically issues a receipt to a donor that has made a gift of $20 or more, provided that donor has given us his or her full mailing address. Do we have to provide tax receipts to donors?
No, you are not expected to issue tax receipts to your donors. You’ll send the pledge envelopes back to your Canadian Cancer Society representative and the Society will automatically receipt donors that have made a gift of $20 or more, provided that the donor has given the full name and complete mailing address. How much money does the Canadian Cancer Society expect me to raise?
The Canadian Cancer Society does not set fundraising expectations for elementary schools. While one goal of the Relay For Life is fundraising, we would like the event to help build your school community, generate awareness about cancer, and provide a fun outlet for students at the school. You may choose to set your own fundraising goals, and engage your school community in challenges (e.g. “Grade 4 class challenges Grade 5 class”), if you wish. Does the Canadian Cancer Society offer fundraising prizes?
The Canadian Cancer Society does offer a small thank you gift to students who raise $50 or more. In addition, the Canadian Cancer Society will provide a prize to the class that raises the most money at each school that runs the event. When should we start planning the event?
You may start planning your event as early in advance as you wish. Given the busy environment at elementary schools, we recommend at least a 6-8 week planning period for Relay For Life, but this can be modified depending on your preference. Who can I speak to for more information?
If you have any additional questions, or would like to request an in-person presentation, please feel free to contact your Canadian Cancer Society representative directly, via phone or e-mail:
Does the money stay locally?
A portion of the funds raised at Relay For Life events funds the Canadian Cancer Society’s local community programs and services. An example of this is your local transportation program that helps people get to and from their cancer treatment. In addition to programs and services, money raised also funds the best leading-edge cancer research in For more information about where your money goes, click here. I’ve just done the Terry Fox Run, aren’t you the same organization?
No, the Terry Fox Foundation is not affiliated with the Canadian Cancer Society. Both organizations raise money for cancer research, however the Canadian Cancer Society also provides local community programs, services, and cancer information to support those living with cancer and their loved ones. How will running Relay impact my schedule?
Relay For Life isn’t difficult to organize because you can make it as simple or as BIG as you like! It helps to have colleagues, parents, or even some mature students to help you. To make it easier, the Canadian Cancer Society will provide you with everything you need to run the event and will be there to support you every step of the way. Some schools have organized Relay For Life together in just 6 weeks. To discuss how to make Relay For Life work in your school, contact Kristi MacGibbon at 1 800 268-8874, ext. 2320 or relayyouth@ontario.cancer.ca.
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