Saturday, May 31 marked the sixth annual Relay for Life of Marlton, and the third year of the Marlton Woman’s Club’s participation in the exciting and moving event. The members of Marlton Woman’s Club’s “Sweet Charities” team joined hundreds of people from Burlington and Camden Counties to raise funds and raise awareness in the fight to find a cure for cancer.
Relay for Life begins long before the event itself. Along with dozens of teams from the region, the MWC Sweet Charities spent months soliciting donations, attending fundraising car washes and dinners out at sponsoring retailers, selling raffle tickets, and designing costumes to fit this year’s Superheroes theme. MWC sported purple capes labeling them the Cancer Crusaders, and raised more than $3,000 to fight cancer.
The Marlton Woman’s Club may have been the “oldest” team to have registered, but this spirited and community-minded group held their own with the rest of the groups there. Because “cancer never sleeps”, participants walked the track at Cherokee High School non-stop throughout the all-night event. Members of the Sweet Charities were on the track and moving until 2 a.m., donating candy to costumed trick-or-treaters during the Halloween lap, silently remembering those who had lost — and won — their fight with cancer during the Luminaria lap, cheering for the survivors who filled the track with a lap of their own, and supporting the Evesham Fire and Rescue team as they walked with a brave four-year-old who inspired everyone who heard the story of his battle with cancer. The club members continued to raise funds during the walk with a face-painting booth and a lollipop sale at their colorfully decorated tent.
It is not too late to donate to this event. Online donations can be made at www.relayforlife.org — to direct a gift to The Marlton Woman’s Club, look for the Sweet Charities Team name after selecting Donate.
The GFWC Marlton Woman’s Club is a charitable organization open to women of any age with a connection to Marlton. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from September through May, and invites all women in their community to join them in their efforts. They support local and national non-profits, veterans groups, and conservation causes, and provide scholarship to local girls each year. They also really know how to have a good time while doing good.
