- April 24, 2024
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Last year’s Relay for Life event drew about 500. This year, first-time coordinator Shelly Hamm is hoping to double that.
BY MIKE CAVALIERE | ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Her first year as event coordinator for the Ormond Beach Relay for Life’s annual event, Shelly Hamm is looking at 2013 as a time for rebuilding.
Instead of hitting up a few of Ormond’s bigger businesses for sizable donations, she’s gone the “little bit from a lot of places” route. She’s plugged the Relay into social media. And instead of bringing in just a couple performers to play during the walk-a-thon, she’s letting the city put its own talents on display, by bringing in five local dance teams and putting on an “American Idol”-type event, where 22 locals will compete before a panel of local judges.
She's hoping these changes help to attract about 1,000 people — double the turnout the now-10-year-old event had in 2012.
“So many things are just coming together right now,” Hamm said. Bright House Networks is planning to set up a TV station, for guests to watch sports games. Spruce Creek Fly In has agreed to do a fly-over for the opening ceremony, at 3:45 p.m. Food is being donated by the Seabreeze High School Culinary Academy, as well as from Stonewood, Houligan’s and others. D.J.s Tremble and Kaylee, from VYB 103.3 will be there. There will be a video game station.
“It was one of those things where I think my background played a good role, with not (asking for) too much from everyone,” Hamm added. “I just want them there. ... I’m trying to raise the bar.”
Hamm used to do event planning in college for hotels. Then she worked in assisted-living facilities. Then in pharmaceuticals. Now, she’s an account manager for oncology, working with physicians and other health care workers.
“It’s just been incredible to watch (this event) evolve,” she said. “I don’t think I really realized how much it costs for a cancer drug. So when I got into this job, I thought, ‘Oh my god.’ And I really wanted to do something … And it all clicked.”
Hamm has also been personally affected by the disease — she’s lost aunts, uncles, grandparents; her cousin is the midst of her second battle with breast cancer.
“So I’m real close to it,” she said. “As a kid, you never really understand. ... (But) it comes down to the survivors; it comes down to the ones we’ve lost, and just honoring (them). That’s what really makes me feel good. If I can help one person … I’ve done my job.”
The event will start 3 p.m. Saturday, at the Coca-Cola Pavilion at Destination Daytona.
Relay Idol
In addition to a cutest baby contest, face-painting tables, photo booths, carnival games, a putting green, a fortune teller, makeovers and massages, the Relay for Life of Ormond Beach 2013 will feature 22 local singers, competing for four top prizes. The grand-prize winner will take home $500, along with a CD photo shoot, a trophy and four hours of recording studio time.
The judges are listed as follows:
Brad Yates is a Christian musician and producer.
Matthew Bonazzoli is the owner of video design company DvDocument, in Daytona Beach. He is also the front man for The Bonazzoli Band.
Harry Burney is the founder of Iona Enterprises Inc., a Daytona Beach fine arts consulting firm. He is also a former Nickelodeon Studios acting coach.
Support a good cause
A total of 33 teams and 140 participants of the Relay for Life of Ormond Beach have so far raised more than $20,000 in local donations, as of April 16. Last year, the event raised about $30,000.
To donate online, visit www.main.acsevents.org
