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Alaska Airlines Employees Lace Up For Relay For Life
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3/5/2008 9:36 a.m.
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Lacing up. Hitting the track. Having fun with co-workers. And fighting cancer along the way.
That's what a growing number of Alaska Airlines employees are doing by participating in Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event that supports cancer research, prevention and care. Alaska Airlines has supported Relay For Life for nearly 10 years, and in 2008 is paying team registration fees and offering prizes to the top individual and team fundraisers.
Prudhoe Bay Customer Service Agent Bridget Ferreira has participated on an Alaska Airlines team — now dubbed the "Alaska Airlines Wing Walkers" — at the Fairbanks Relay For Life event for six of the past eight years. She's already gearing up for her team's next appearance.
"We've had our team signed up for the 2008 event since December because there's so much energy around this," said Ferreira. "Now, we're recruiting more team members and starting to hold fundraisers to support the cause."
Led by co-captains Roberta Ravenscroft and Barb Rima, both Fairbanks CSAs, Ferreira's team will take turns walking around Fairbanks' West Valley High School track for 24 hours beginning May 30. With 16 co-workers already signed up, the team likely will double or triple in size by event day.
"We've already held a bake sale at the Fairbanks station and raised over $100," said Ferreira, noting the team is planning barbecue and chili feed fundraisers. "Everyone at the station seems to enjoy the fundraisers. Because we've all known someone touched by cancer, they're happy to support this worthy cause."
Growing number of teams
The "Alaska Airlines Wing Walkers" aren't alone. Alaska employees have participated in Relay For Life events for more than 20 years, serving as team captains and members throughout Alaska and the West Coast.
"We're hoping to grow this event as an opportunity for employees to rally around a very worthy cause," said Donna Hartman, manager of community relations and corporate giving. "Our corporate giving program supports a wide range of educational and humanitarian organizations. Supporting cancer-related causes like the American Cancer Society has always been a focus because cancer impacts so many employees and their families."
This year, Alaska Airlines will pay registration fees for any team led by an employee and offer prizes, as well. The individual member (employee or non-employee) on an Alaska Airlines team who raises the most money will receive a grand prize of two Alaska Airlines roundtrip full-fare coach tickets, two Disneyland Parkhopper one-day passes and a $100 Marriott gift card.
All employee and non-employee members will receive an item (to be determined) featuring the airline's logo for the Alaska-sponsored team that raises the most money.
Hundreds of Relay For Life events are scheduled in communities throughout the carrier's service area. A complete list of events is available at the Relay For Life Web site or by calling (800) ACS-2345.
For a girl named Gloria
Deana Evans, executive assistant to Customer Service – Airports Vice President Jeff Butler, has already taken advantage of the free team registration offer. She and her fellow participants will lace up June 7 at the Highline, Wash., event.
"I started a Highline team two years ago to support Gloria, a little girl my children went to school with who was battling cancer," said Evans. "Sadly, Gloria passed away last fall, but I'm continuing the tradition of leading a team. And, just like me, nearly all of our team members are walking to support people in their own lives who've been touched by cancer."
Evans' team doubled in size last year and she's hoping to triple participation by co-workers in 2008.
"The obvious reason is that it's a great cause and it's fun, too," she said. "Last year, we braved the rain to stay out on the track the whole time. A couple of our new team members were pretty moved by the whole event, especially the survivors' lap. If anyone is interested in joining our team, we'd love to have you and hope you'll sign up!"
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