American Litho raises over $10,000 for American Cancer Society Relay For Life
An all-out "penny war" and a creative photo op featuring the Chicago Blackhawks helped American Litho raise extra dollars in the days leading up to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Carol Stream on Saturday, June 27.
The Carol Stream company fielded a 27-member Relay team under the leadership of Sales VP Frank Arostegui of Aurora, himself a survivor of squamous cell carcinoma.
"It's awesome to have employees, friends and family all here, celebrating what we've accomplished over the last 5 months," Arostegui said just before hitting the track with his family and around 50 ALitho supporters who turned out for the event at Ross Ferraro Town Center.
All afternoon and evening, fellow Relayers streamed over to ALitho's tent to fit their faces inside the carnival-style photo board that transformed them into Jonathan Toews holding the Stanley Cup.
"ALitho is full of die-hard hockey fans, and we figured that everyone at Relay would get a kick out of posing with the Cup," said Senior Account Rep Glenn Chelius, who worked with Graphic Designer Karie Vaughn to create the display.
Creative ideas like the photo board reflect the ways ALitho employees brought their best to the Relay effort, Arostegui said.
He thanked Sales VP Joe Bulgarelli of St. Charles and his wife, Ursula, who launched a Cookies For Cancer sale in April and Strategic Business Development VP Sam Dentino, who spearheaded a successful May fundraiser at Bulldog Ale House in Carol Stream.
Campaign goals also focused on helping employees reduce their own cancer risks. Each week, Vaughn teamed with Staff Supervisor Ellie Valadez to create weekly messages in Spanish and English, helping employees learn more about nutrition, exercise, cancer screening and more.
In one last fundraising push before Relay, employee teams took part in a 24-hour battle to see who could amass the most pennies while sabotaging the competition by stuffing their collection buckets with silver coins and bills.
The proceeds, verified the following week by Harris Bank, helped loft the team's total results to nearly $10,400 raised for the cancer fight.
While they're thrilled with the results, Arostegui reports that Team ALitho is "just getting started. We're motivated by people we know and love who've had cancer, and compassion for people we might never meet who are fighting for their lives right now." The company aims to raise thousands more for ACS by year-end.
Relay For Life proceeds fund vital programs for cancer patients, caregivers and families in every U.S. community, including free rides to treatment for those in need and a free, 24/7 cancer information line (800-227-2345) open to all, providing in-depth support in multiple languages.
Gifts may be made by visiting American Litho's Relay For Life team page.