DEMOPOLIS &8212; The Relay for Life for Marengo County held a kickoff meeting yesterday evening at the Welcome Center.

Peggy Duncan, the Marengo County head organizer for annual event, began by announcing that the county raised $62,405.16 during last years drive after paying off all expenses. She also mentioned that this year&8217;s relay portion of the drive will be held May 11 at Demopolis City Landing and the theme will be Relay Jones and the Quest for the Cure.

Alicia King, the regional director for the area, followed up Dunkin by touting the contributions of the money raised by Relay for Life that is put toward cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

King went on to say that the money raised by the drive also contributes to local communities throughout the country. According to king, one of the biggest benefits of the organization to the Marengo area is Hope Lodge in Birmingham.

From its construction to august of 2005, the house has seen 12 guests from Marengo County who have stayed there for 264 nights and saved $19,140 through its services.

During the meeting King detailed to those in attendance some new, creative ideas for raising money such as passing a cup at office meetings, a penny harvest through schools and organizations, a turkey drawing, a Christmas decorating service and working at a Christmas tree lot which will donate money for every tree sold.

The region will also be invited to a Team Captain University that will teach more specific fund raising techniques. According to King, this year will be the first year were all teams and team members will register to a Web site specific to each area hosting a drive.

Team members will even be able to solicit donations through an option n the team Web sites.

King ended the meeting by presenting certificates of appreciations to organizations that supported the drive last year.