CAMDEN — Preble Shawnee FFA held a mini Relay for Life on Friday, May 11, to benefit a West Elkton Intermediate student who was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. All seventh through 12th grade Preble Shawnee students participated in the event, buying baked goods and t-shirts to raise money for the Ethan Fields Family.
The Preble Shawnee FFA chapter holds a mini Relay for Life every year, but usually the proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society. This year, the event was called “Fields Day” with all proceeds being donated to Ethan Fields’ family to help with medical bills.
For Fields Day, students competed against other homeroom classes for points in different events. FFA members sold t-shirts for the day, which helped to raise money. There was also a cook-out and bake sale at lunch time.
With the help of the students, staff, teachers and community members, they were able to raise over $1,200 for the family.
Students rotated around stations in their homerooms competing against other homerooms for points. The top three teams from the junior high and high school were awarded prizes. At lunch time, the students all walked the track to signify searching for the cure for cancer is never-ending.
Some of the activities included soccer (which is Fields’ favorite), basketball, kickball, softball, and a water balloon toss. The Preble Shawnee Chapter of National Honor Society also raised money through a change drive which was added into the points for Fields Day. Students who bought a t-shirt were awarded more points for their teams.
“The FFA officers had came up with the idea to change who we donate money to this year and the chapter members agreed. I think the FFA members choosing to host Fields Day this year instead of our usual mini Relay For Life shows just how much our students care about each other,” FFA advisor Sarhra Flinn said.
“They wanted to help make an impact in a family in our community that was going through a rough time. They saw that the family was in need of support and didn’t think twice to help them out.”
