The Relay For Life of Marengo County volunteers have created a lot of excitement with their “Paint The Town Purple” awareness campaign, which ends tomorrow.

Volunteers have been contacting businesses and residents to encourage everyone to take part by donating $5 to the American Cancer Society to receive a bright purple bow to display in support of the fight against cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s community event to fight cancer will return to Demopolis River Field on Friday, April 29.

“During Relay For Life, participants enjoy games, food, music and camaraderie while taking turns walking around the track in this non-competitive event,” Jennifer Hallman, Community Representative for the American Cancer Society said. “Sponsors, walkers, cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), caregivers, community leaders, team captains and other hard-working volunteers are all still needed and it is not too late to get involved.”

The community can also help with this year’s Relay by supporting Relay teams and their upcoming fundraisers. Most teams are collecting old cell phones and other electronics, such as laptop computers, as well as selling World’s Finest Chocolate bars. In addition to the traditional yard sales, car washes, t-shirt sales and sales of Relay stars and moons, some teams have planned some unique fundraisers.

The Walmart Relay Team’s Black-Tie Banquet will take place at the Demopolis Civic Center at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24. The event will include an elegant four-course prime rib dinner and will feature special entertainment by Camilla Tutt, the Linden Baptist Church Masters Hand and the Christian Chapel Church Praise Worship Team under the leadership of Doris Robinson as well as honored guest speaker Dr. Edward Partridge, Director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and American Cancer Society National Board President.

His talk is titled “Elimination of Cancer As A Public Health Problem.” Tickets are $50 per person. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot by March 17 by contacting Doris Stephens at (334) 289-2385. The Walmart team will also be hosting the “Think Pink” 2011 Beauty Pageant on Saturday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at the Theo Ratliff Activity Center. Registration is $10 and forms are available at Walmart.

Rock-Tenn Company’s Seventh Annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 8. Space is limited to the first 36 paid teams so please contact Charlie Willie at cwillie@rocktenn.com or (334) 289-6200.

The Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital team will host its annual Bake Sale on Friday, April 22, so everyone is encouraged to pick up their Easter goodies.

“Linden teams are getting geared up as well,” Hallman said. “Sweet Water State Bank in Linden will be hosting a Yard Sale on Saturday, April 2. The Linden Quest Club will be holding its annual Bucket Drop fundraiser in Linden and Thomaston on Saturday, April 16, so everyone is encouraged to stop in to say hello and drop a donation in the bucket in support.”

Volunteers are still needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in any way. For additional information on the Relay For Life of Marengo County 2011, please contact Community Representative Jennifer Hallman at jennifer.hallman1@cancer.org or (205) 886-3000 or visit the local website at www.relayforlife.org/marengo.