The Carver Center’s Teen Manager Lauren Martinez knows what it is like to have a loved one suffer with cancer, as many people do. But she also knows how uplifting The American Cancer Society's signature fundraiser Relay for Life can be. She was excited when she heard that Port Chester and Rye Brook would be participating in the nationwide event for the first time this year and was happy to organize a team-one of the 90 that will participate in the local event.
“I did it in college and I had an amazing experience so when I heard it was coming here I just knew what a good time I had…Anything I could to do bring awareness about the cause I wanted to do,” Martinez said.
Martinez became the team captain for the Carver Center team, now made up of 15 people, seven of whom are registered to stay up all night at the event this Saturday, June 15.
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Martinez has been working over the last few months to participate in the event. She recognized the Port Chester-Rye Brook Relay for Life organizer Stefani Pagnotta.
“She has four kids, is a teacher at King Street School and organized this. I am really impressed.”
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The team is made up of staff and friends. The teens who Martinez works with at the center are participating with their own teams through their schools.
Martinez’ team set a $1,500 fundraising goal and has already raise $1,900. They hope to raise more with their activities at the event, a dunk tank and two raffles. One raffle is for a Carver Center summer package and another is for $250 in gift cards to local restaurants.
Read more about the Port Chester-Rye Brook Relay for Life here.
The other Carver Center team participants are:
Joe Kwasniewski, Lauren Martinez, Lucille Lambiasi, Jacqueline Pezzullo, Michael Williams, Arleene Chavarria, Alex Chavarria, Josh Zaloga, Jennifer Stanley, Miguel Gonzalez, Greg Cole, Cristina Vobroucek.
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