Autauga County's 2009 Relay For Life effort has officially be­gun, and local residents can ex­pect to soon see many and var­ied methods through which funds are solicited for the ongo­ing fight against cancer.

Familiar fundraisers such as the moose that city team mem­bers and others can't turn loose without a donation, to the re-emergence of a purple toilet seat, are expected again this year. Other announced projects range from assembly of gift bas­kets for raffle, to standard events such as bake sales, car washes and similar projects.

"We're really still in the early stages, since we just had our kickoff on (Jan. 17)," said Christen Price, one of three lo­cal women who share responsi­bility for this year's event. "We have about 40 teams already, and we are expecting a lot more."

Price said more than a dozen groups of youngsters from local schools, churches and other or­ganizations have already en­tered teams in this year's friend­ly competition. The teams try to earn bragging rights by raising the most money for use in can­cer research and the develop­ment of new drugs to fight the ravages of the disease.

"We have 14 youth teams this year," she said. "We're really ex­cited about that, because they have so much energy. Some of them plan to have 'jail and bail' projects with the teachers at their schools. We've got the city's 'moose' and we'll probably see the purple toilet surface again this year. Those are just a few of the things that will be going on."

Employees of three Autauga County governmental entities have assembled several gift bas­kets, including one that con­tains almost $600 in merchan­dise and gift certificates, and bags that will be raffled at 9 a.m. on Feb. 12, just in time for Valen­tine's Day.

The first-prize basket in­cludes gift certificates to Olive Garden, Kim Box Photography, Chocodelphia, Flowers by Lori and Smart Skin Medspa & Sa­lon. Other baskets include cer­tificates for hair services at The Hair Place, and for two dinners at either MarChelle's, Logan's Roadhouse or Fat Boy's BBQ Ranch.

Autauga Revenue Commis­sioner's Office employee Lanet­ta Davis, who captains the coun­ty team, said the group includes employees from the county pro­bate office and the office of coun­ty commissioners. Davis said the $1 raffle tickets are available at the local tax office.

The city of Prattville team of­ficially began its fundraising ef­fort on Monday, when team cap­tain Becky Bellinger passed the miniature moose figure to May­or Jim Byard Jr. Byard must pay to have the faux creature sent to someone else, who must then follow the same procedure.

Byard didn't say to whom he would have the moose sent, but speculation was that it would wind up on the desk of Autauga County Circuit Clerk Whit Mon­crief.

The mayor pointed out that while hundreds of people would be taking part in this year's Re­lay, one prominent part of past projects -- Prattville police offi­cer Daryl Mangrum, who died in late July -- would be missing.

"Relay For Life is a good proj­ect for the cancer society," he said. "Last year, the city family had Daryl Mangrum to think about. This year we don't have Daryl Mangrum with us, but he's certainly somebody em­ployees of the city still think about on a regular basis. We are dedicating this year's effort to Daryl."

The city team is also selling rubber anti-cancer bracelets with Mangrum's name on them for $4 apiece. The memorials may be purchased at the may­or's office or one of several other city offices.

Other teams are reportedly using the death of 5-year-old Avery Hildreth as inspiration for their fundraisers. The youngster, who was honorary chairperson of last year's local Relay, passed away in a Bir­mingham hospital several hours after last year's event be­gan.

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January 31, 2026