Tulare County Office of Education

2005 Partner Recognition Honorees

Porterville Relay for Life

Nominated by: Porterville Chamber of Commerce Business Education Committee

Porterville's Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society began in 1998. Last year, the project had over 60 teams participating, which involved hundreds of individuals, many of them youth. The relay raised over $230,000 in that event and cumulatively close to $1 million since its inception. For the community involvement, sense of purpose, benefit to cancer victims and their families, Porterville Relay for Life was recognized as the Chamber's Community Service Project of the Year in 2004. Many of the participants at all levels of the event are youth. While many represent school service clubs, there are significant numbers who volunteer because their lives have been touched by cancer. Through this event, the youth have the opportunity to develop positive relationships with adults, learn skills of organization and service, develop self esteem, and learn how to give and receive support in time of need. They also have the opportunity to be a part of the community, and understand the variety of skills necessary for such a project. It is often such experiences that provide youth with the incentive to focus on school and career preparation.

Randy Wallace, Project Director
phone: (559) 733-6101
fax: (559) 737-4378

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