Two cities, one cause

ALACHUA COUNTY  – The communities of Alachua and High Springs are joining forces again this year for the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser.

The event had its official kick-off meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6. In the upcoming months, the teams will conduct more fundraisers, about one program per month.

Sharon Yeago, the event chair for High Springs, will be co-chairing the event with Dr. Mitch Fearing, who practices medicine in Alachua, on May 9.

“Working towards a common goal, the 2014 Relay for Life ‘Hooked on a Cure,’ we hope to sign up at least 25 teams and raise at least $36,000,” said Yeago.

There will also be upcoming joint fundraisers for the two cities at restaurants. On Sunday, Nov. 10, there was a booth at the Main Street Festival in Alachua.

Last year, they had city officials from both cities bartend at a local restaurant, and all the tips and a portion of the sales went toward cancer research. The teams aim to get in touch with different businesses and will try to raise money from the community before the next event.  

“This is such a great opportunity to bring the Alachua and High Springs communities together,” Yeago said.

The event, an overnight community fundraising walk, is slated to take place in May at a currently unannounced location. So far, 11 teams have signed up from both cities.

In the coming months, Yeago hopes to raise as much as possible for cancer research through the Alachua and High Springs teams’ programs and activities dedicated to the event.

“I think we can do this because of the great folks from these two, very special communities working together," Yeago said.

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