May 25, 2006

ABA exceeds fund-raising goals at Blossom Valley Relay for Life event

Group’s second year shows tremendous
growth in participation, donations

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

Rounding the track at Davis Middle School, it was hard to miss Almaden Business Association member Rich De La Rosa’s motor home. Nestled next to the Wal-Mart booth and festooned with the Almaden Business Association banner, it had a trackside seat for the Annual Blossom Valley Relay for Life event.

From left, Almaden Business Association members Mike Fehling, Rich De La Rosa, Misty De La Rosa, Danny De La Rosa, Pete Bucter, Diana Young and Jim Young. The ABA’s to-date fund-raising totals of $7,000 for the Blossom Valley Relay for Life are nearly triple that of their 2005 fund-raising amounts.

But when the goal is to attract attention to both a fund-raising hotdog BBQ and recycling center, the last thing you’d want to be is shy and out of sight. Complete with lawn chairs and fellow ABA chums to cheer them on, members of the Almaden Business Association gathered once again over the weekend of May 20-21 for this signature fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society.

According to ABA team captain Gale Infeld of Ticket to Travel, herself a first time Relay participant, the experience was something that she definitely wants to be involved with again next year. “It’s wonderful being able to participate in the Blossom Valley [Relay]. Any place you can participate in the fight against cancer is a benefit to the whole community,” she said.

In 2005, the ABA’s first year participating in Relay, the group raised $2,500. This year, their goal was to double that amount to reach $5,000. According to Infeld, the total donations so far, including in-kind donations, is
$7,000—nearly triple their first-year goal.

“This year we had more members involved, and that was exciting,” said Infeld.” One walker, Susan Latin, came all the way from the Gilroy/Hollister area to take the 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. shifts. That was about when the rain started up, but she was there.”

Although many of the ABA participants were new to the team and to Relay itself, there were a few “old-timers” from last year to share their kernels of wisdom. This elite group included last year’s team captain and ABA Treasurer Pete Bucter.

“Many of the impromptu ideas from 2005—like the recycling—are more organized this year, more well-run,” said Bucter.

Mike Fehling, who joined at the coaxing of wife and ABA member, Edie, did not participate last year and had never heard of Relay for Life before Edie’s involvement in 2005.

“I’m impressed with the turnout [at Relay for Life],” said a pleased Fehling. “I didn’t think it would be this big.”