Newtown’s 2015 Relay For Life may be three months away, but a growing number of volunteers and organizers have been busy preparing for the annual American Cancer Society (ACS) benefit and awareness-raising event the since late last year.

This year’s Relay — which for the unfamiliar, is not a sporting event — is taking place Saturday, June 13, at Newtown High School’s Blue & Gold Stadium.

After a decade of success hosting overnight Relays which have raised more than $2.5 million, local volunteers switched gears for 2015, taking advantage of the opportunity to host a more eclipsed event that will begin at 3 pm and end at midnight.

While that means the event will happen in roughly half the time of previous Relays For Life, organizers are aiming at packing most of the traditional activities, and possibly some new ones, into the shortened time frame.

The Relay for 2015 has a Dr Seuss theme, which volunteers and ACS Relay Community Manager Alyssa Amaturo plan to promote around town April 1 as they visit local businesses reminding them about the upcoming event and opportunities to sponsor or support the cause.

Newtown’s 2015 Honorary Relay For Life Caregiver is Jack Nahmias and the event’s Honorary Survivor is Lauren Pade.

This year, volunteers will also be providing nonparticipants a chance to help by collecting donations at the event entrances. According to Relay Chair Chris Farrington, Newtown High School volunteer Chris Lafky is working with local schools to help support team formations and signups, and is encourage all of the spring sport teams to sign up as well.

Michelle Zarifis will be supporting and organizing entertainment and fundraising during the event.

Ms Amaturo is reminding residents who are planning to form teams, as well as team leaders who are signing up teammates now, that money for the Relay Hope Club must be submitted to organizers by April 29 to secure all participating team members a T-shirt

A possible May Relay Rally is also being discussed to help generate excitement throughout the community. Residents are encouraged to locate and follow updates on the Newtown Relay’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Anyone wishing to form a team, or to just make a personal donation supporting the Newtown Relay is asked to visit the local event website — .relayforlife.org/newtownct

Any registered participant raising $100 or more by March 27 will become eligible for a drawing with a grand prize of a $500 Delta Airlines and $100 Hilton Hotel travel voucher, a $500 donation credit to your Relay team, or a $100 Relay merchandise certificate.

Teams are welcome to contact Ms Zarifis with in-stadium fundraising or activity ideas by e-mailing relayforlifeofnewtown@gmail.com or michelle@zarifis.com.

Newtown’s Relay For Life will recognize and celebrate all caregivers who give time, love, and support to their friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers facing cancer. Caregivers of residents who have lost their battles with cancer are also encouraged to attend.

Many moments create the unique Relay experience, including the Survivors Lap, where all attending cancer survivors take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while being cheered on by other participants who line the track.

An emotional Luminarias Ceremony takes place after dark, so the community can remember those who have been lost to cancer, honor people who have fought cancer in the past, and support those whose fight continues.

Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and are placed around the Relay track as glowing tributes to those who have been affected by cancer.

The annual Fight Back Ceremony inspires Relay participants to take action. The Fight Back Ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment community members can make in the fight against cancer.

The action taken represents what people are willing to do for themselves, for loved ones, and for the community to fight cancer year-round and to commit to saving lives.

The first Relay for Life occurred in May 1985, when Dr Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wash., ultimately raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society.

A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay For Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.