Team captains for the 2006 American Cancer Society Relay forLife met in the Lincoln County Brookhaven Government ComplexWednesday to make plans for the May 5 event and to sharefund-raising ideas.

The meeting was the first specifically for team captains and thesecond planning meeting for the event.

The theme for this year’s event at Exchange Club Park is derivedfrom Dr. Seuss. “The Places We’ll Go and the People We’ll See”should encourage a lot of creativity among team members, said TerryLynn Watkins, chairperson of the event.

“You can go anywhere with that,” said Kathy Prospere, arepresentative of the charitable cancer organization.

Watkins thanked the volunteers for their dedication to the causeof fighting cancer and encouraged them to stay motivated. She saidwhile it can sometimes be discouraging to keep asking for donationsthey should remember that “there’s not a family in Lincoln Countythat has not been touched in some ways by cancer.”

“The relay cannot happen if we don’t have people willing to giveof their time,” Watkins said.

Event organizers have decided to change one traditional elementthis year, Watkins said. In the past, the event has been held inhonor of or in memory of someone with cancer. Usually two arechosen.

This year, however, organizers are allowing each team to chooseits own honoree.

“You can walk in honor or memory of anyone you choose,” Watkinssaid. “Each team will be allowed a special lap for that person withhighlights of their life.”

Team captains also shared ideas for possible fund-raisingactivities. Among the standard fare of bake sales, raffles and carwashes, a few unique events were proposed.

Shellie Furr, whose team has not yet set on a name, said herteam has planned a paintball tournament for the youth. Children ingrades one through twelve will compete March 25 at Dwayne Cannon’spaintball field in the Enterprise area.

“The youth has been very interested in this,” Furr said. “Wehave about 100 to 150 children registered.”

Registration forms are available at Brookhaven Sports or Allen’sGrocery on Highway 583, or interested paintballers can call Furr at833-4454.

Carol Haley, representing another as yet unnamed team, said herteam will host an art auction on March 30 at the Trustmark Bankmain office. Danny Crozier will serve as auctioneer.

Paintings, ceramics and other forms of art will be available,she said, but more donations are needed. Donations can be made bycalling Haley at Trustmark.

Money donated during the Relay is used in the organization’sefforts to research a cure, educate the community about cancerprevention and early detection and lending support for peoplediagnosed with cancer.

“Every day they’re making strides, but it takes money forresearch. That’s what we’re all about,” Watkins said.

Team captains will meet again March 22 at the government complexto continue their planning. The meeting is also the deadline formemberships and team registrations.

For more information call Watkins at (601) 835-3435 or Amy Owensat (601) 835-3720.