Kiel McQueen '08 had one goal when he brought Relay for Life to Bowdoin three years ago: not to fail.
But since McQueen's first Relay for Life at the College, the fundraising event has been nothing short of an unqualified success. Last year?in only its second year?Bowdoin's Relay for Life raised roughly $57,000 for the American Cancer Society and won the organization's Income Development Award for the New England Chapter.
Today will mark the third Relay for Life at Bowdoin. Julia Seltzer '09, who will oversee this year's event, is passionate about her cause.
"It's a really good opportunity to honor people and remember those who we have lost," she said. "Cancer is something that everyone has a personal connection to. It's definitely of universal importance."
Event leaders said they made concrete strides to promote and plan the event earlier this semester.
"We began really fundraising with the Spring Break Challenge," said Chair of the Entertainment committee Katherine Finnegan '09. "Things really got going, though, with the kick-off event at the Pub to register and recruit people for the event."
This year, the planning committee aims to raise $60,000 for the American Cancer Society. Though Seltzer admitted they have not yet reached their goal, she said she remains optimistic.
"People tend to forget about the fundraising aspect of the event," she said. "Our deadline for reaching our goal is September so we have a lot of opportunities to fundraise at the event and even after the event takes place."
The event began as a community service project for Baxter house during the 2005-2006 school year. McQueen, a former Community Service Representative for Baxter House, introduced the idea of working with the American Cancer Society.
"When we began working with the American Cancer Society, we didn't really know if we would be actually volunteering or providing monetary support," McQueen said. "We were all interested in the idea, though: Everyone, in some way, had been connected to the cause."
Once the idea was approved, 14 members of Baxter house established a committee to organize the event. According to McQueen, "We spent a lot of time filling out the charter to become a nationally recognized chapter."
Initially, the project began with a goal to engage 200 Bowdoin students and raise $20,000 for the cause. "There was a big fear of not reaching that goal," he said.
But the event surpassed the initial benchmark, raising about $37,000.
Activities for this year's Relay for Life include performances by two bands, The Hypnotists and The Inflatables. There will also be performances by two student a capella groups, ping pong and poker tournaments, pie eating contests and "Polar Bear Idol," a Bowdoin version of the popular show "American Idol," led by Nick Tomaino '08.
While there is no shortage of high-energy activities, the goal of the event has not been forgotten.
"While there is lots of programming, there also is time for reflection," said Seltzer. "Barry Mills and Evan Fagundis, both cancer survivors, will be speaking," she said.
This year's Relay for Life also bears special importance for the students who began the event.
"This is a big year because the seniors who started the program are now graduating," said Seltzer. "We will also be recognizing their work."
McQueen said he has cherished his work on the event.
"It's been a wonderful group to work with," he said. "It's been the best experience I've had at Bowdoin."
McQueen, Seltzer, and Finnegan said they are looking forward to the event and hope for a big turnout.
"We really make an effort to shut things down on campus for the event," said Seltzer.