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KELLEY ELDER
Relay for Life
"Volunteering-- It's Contagious!"
By Drue Peterman



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Kelley Elder is the perfect example of someone who gives her time and dedication to an important cause. She began volunteering with Relay for Life at CofC her freshman year. Since then, she has taken over and become Relay for Life Chair.

Because of Kelley and many other dedicated volunteers, the relay event here at the College of Charleston has tripled since her freshman year. This year, the group raised more than $37,000 with 36 teams and 340 participants. The money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.

For more info on Relay for Life at CofC visit www.relayforlife.org/collegesofcharlestonsc

 

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Kelley (right) and friend Maggie Blackwell at the April 2009 Relay for Life
About Kelley Elder...
Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga. Major:Business Admininstration Expected Graduation: May 2010


Current Volunteer Activities: Relay for life CofC chair, helped friend with last minute Dance Marathon things, Hope Lodge on Calhoun (part of American Cancer Society), Trinity Soup Kitchen in Atlanta, Ronald McDonald House

What is your most memorable volunteer experience? Last year at the Relay for Life one of the survivors was a 5 year old girl who was running around. It made you really be aware of how widespread cancer is and made my hard work pay off.

What are you most proud of contributing to your organizations? I'm proud that we've almost tripled the relay event here at the college since our freshmen year. We started with 11 teams and no knowledge of anything. We have broken our own goals every year so far and this year we raised $37,062 with 36 teams and 340 participants.

What do you enjoy most about community service: I love the feeling of doing something that really does help others. The ACS helped my dad a lot with different programs so I know what it's like and the impact it has on cancer survivors. I just hope my work with Relay and other programs can help make someone else's life a little bit easier and put a smile on their face.

How do you think your friends and family would describe you? Competitive, pretty laid back, organized

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering? Volunteering is one of the easiest and best ways to make yourself feel better by helping others and seeing their happiness, it's contagious.

What are your plans after graduation? Hopefully I'll find a job and be able to stay in the Charleston area. I want to end up working with a non-profit organization. Working for the American cancer would be one of my top choices since I'm familiar with them and already love volunteering for them.

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