New Tampa Relay For Life Shatters Records At Freedom High!

I’ve probably been to at least five or six of the New Tampa “Relay for Life” events over the years (as well as several in Wesley Chapel and others), but this year’s New Tampa Relay to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS) is undoubtedly the biggest and most impressive Relay I’ve ever attended.

And, considering that the event needed a new chairperson to step up as recently as January of this year, I take my hat off to long-time local residents Leslie Britt and Tom Gruber, who agreed, mid-stream, to become the co-chairs of this year’s New Tampa Relay.

And, with about 1,000 total participants on 60 teams, the 2013 New Tampa Relay, held in 90+-degree temperatures at Freedom High on May 17, raised more than $100,000, as well as the spirits of everyone who attended.

“Yes, we’re pretty sure this is the biggest Relay event New Tampa has ever seen,” said Britt. “Tom and I and all of our volunteers are just relieved that it all worked out. We can’t thank the community enough for its support.”

The top fund-raising team this year was the Bartels Bengals “Fight Back” team, which raised more than $11,000, but congrats to everyone involved.—GN