Herald photo by Lynn Hotaling
Congratulating Great Smoky Mountains Railroad General Manager Jon Schlegel, left, on his company's fund-raising efforts during this year's Relay For Life were Tina Parker of the American Cancer Society, center, and Scott Connor of First Citizens Bank, Relay For Life corporate sponsor co-chairman. GSMR employees raised $11, 689, the most of any county team, to support ACS research efforts. |
When it comes to raising money for cancer research, employees at an area attraction got on board in a big way.
A team from Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Dillsboro raised $11,689 - almost 20 percent of the county total of $60,471 - during this year's Relay For Life. "It was a total team effort," said Jon Schlegel, the railroad's general manager. "We had people involved from every department." Schlegel commended Patricia Roach and Barbara Meeks for spearheading the GSMR fund-raising efforts. "I call them the 'ringleaders'," Schlegel said. "They were our shining stars who did a super job getting everybody involved." While raising money to support American Cancer Society research efforts is the primary goal of the Relay, GSMR uses the event as a "team-builder," Schlegel said. "We find ways for employees to participate even if they don't walk," he said. "People who couldn't walk brought food and cheered. We had someone on the track all through the night, and we never had less than 10 people in the tent." GSMR took over the top fund-raising spot from Jackson Paper, whose team raised the most money in 1998 and 1999. "The competition is fun and adds a little excitement," Schlegel said. Railroad employees are already making plans for next year's Relay, he said, and hope to surpass this year's total. |