Welcome

Hello to all and Welcome to the brand spank'n new blog for the 2010 Lamoille County Relay For Life NordicStyle!!  A little background first and then a little about myself.  

A Little About The One and Only:

    Relay For Life NordicStyle began 7 years ago with the brilliant idea that since this is Vermont, and we like to do crazy things like sleep outside in the middle of winter, and we like to be invloved in causes such as curing cancer, why don't we combine the two and sleep outside in the middle of winter while fighting cancer! Brilliant!! And so the only Winter Relay For Life event was born. With huge support from Trapp Family Lodge we were able to host the event there and use their beautiful trails in our overnight quest to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Ever since, the unique event has been growing and growing. We've, two years in a row, been on the Vermont Chamber of Commerces Top 10 list! We have more teams and participants signed up last year than any other. We've gotten the attention of the National American Cancer Society and we even had the pleasure of a visit from the National Vice President of Relay For Life, Reuel E. Johnson!! We're on a roll!! I continue to be shocked at the response we get for this event! It's so distinct from anything else, maybe that's why it draws such a crowd. I can only image what this amazing event will be at it's ten year mark!

    This year our National and Event theme is MORE BIRTHDAYS!!  Let's celebrate more birthdays through the prevention and detection of cancer.  

Who is this Blogger so Amped about Relay For Life NordicStyle, you might be asking!?


    I'm Ali Fredette.  Prior to getting involved in this event, I was a volunteer at Johnson State College's community service SERVE program as well as the JUMP program at Sonoma State University in Sonoma County, California.  I was the chair of the Alternative Spring Break program at SSU in 2004-2005 where I also led an environmental trip to Catalina Island.  In 2005-2006 I was a co-leader on an animal welfare trip to Kirkland, Ohio as well as a volunteer on a month long trip to Vietnam.  During my time with these two community service programs I attended numerous leadership and Break Away specific trainings throughout the US.  When I left school I hadn't found another organization I was so dedicated to as the college based program I had left behind.  In 2007 Jessica Swartley (then the Survivorship Chair, now the Event Co-Chair) invited me to volunteer at the event.  I helped her with the Survivor Reception and from there became her Survivorship co-chair.  I also helped with team development and the following year took on the role of Team Development Chair.  I started off this season co-chairing Activities and Entertainment with my Dad but have been given the opportunity to take on the role of Event Co-Chair, again with Jessica Swartley at my side.  I really look forward to bringing new ideas to the event.  I am excited for this opportunity and hope to help make this event bigger and better than the last.

    The reason I was so easily persuaded to be so dedicated to this event and the overall cause of cancer prevention, detection and the cure?  Though I have numerous family members I relay for, I relay for my step-father Bob, who for the 13 years he was in my life, he struggled with cancer.  Sometimes as an immediate threat, many years as a lingering reminder of what may come.  Last November, after a great summer with my mom of traveling, dancing, parties and marathon running, he was given 2 months.  He died on December 24th.  I don't ever want anyone to have to experience the pain and suffering that was experienced in that month (and  all the years leading up to it, waiting for the day it would come back).  Until there is a cure for cancer.  Until we have a health care system that makes detecting it and curing it affordable.  Until cancer is as common and curable as the common cold, I will fight.  I will be there to celebrate birthdays and remember those lost.  I will relay.  Thank you for your support and participation and fighting with the rest of us for who this is all to real of a threat. 

Relay with me.

    So in closing of this first entry in this years blog of the only winter Relay For Life, I would like to thank everyone involved. From the Planning Committee, the Volunteers, the Team Captains and their loyal Participants, the generosity of the Von Trapps, and all our sponsors, right down to the guys (or girls) who deliver the porto-potties! Without a single one of you this would not be the hugely successful event that it is! Thanks undoubtably to the two wonderful super heroines who started this thing, Jane and Kathy! Without you two we'd all be wondering what there was to do on an ordinary Saturday Night in March.


The Need to Knows:
Event Date:  March 6-7
Where: Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT 05672
see our website for more details and to sign up your team!
website: www.relayforlife.org/nordicstylevt
Sign UP Now!!


Upcoming Events!

The NordicStyle Kick-Off Party!
Celebrate birthday style at the new American Cancer Society office in Williston Vermont
Where:  55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495
When: Thurs. November 19th
Time: 6pm