Nov 25, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

Seven years ago, Sherry Maczko and her daughter Brittany Cooley came up with a unique, holiday-themed idea for their Relay for Life team, Too Inspired to Be Tired.

“Members in the community that want to donate a Christmas tree bring in the tree, the tree skirt, topper and decorations. Some people have even started placing gifts under their tree,” Maczko said. “Many of them donate a tree in honor of someone they lost to cancer, someone who is currently fighting cancer or they simply want to support the American Cancer Society.”

As word got out, the event has grown in popularity. The team began with 18 trees donated and this year, will display 130 trees.

Once the trees are assembled, the popular raffle begins. Tickets are being sold for $2 each through Dec. 14. Each ticket counts as one chance to win your favorite decorated tree.

Over the next 30 days, the Relay for Life team will operate out of the Uniontown Mall in the old Rue 21 store.

“Participants walk around and put their ticket in the box in front of the tree they hope to win. Everyone loves it. The people donating a tree often add a picture of their loved one or a story under the tree about why they are participating,” Maczko said. “We cry with them and laugh with them.”

That first year, Too Inspired to Be Tired raised $8,000, and last year they raised $39,100 for the American Cancer Society.

In addition, throughout the season, they collect toys for other nonprofits, Toys for Tots and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

There are a few ways to get more tickets.

The donation of a toy equals two free raffle tickets, or purchase tickets over Thanksgiving weekend and participants can receive a buy two, get one free deal.

One might think once you’ve donated or won a tree, the fun is over, however, Maczko said many families have made it an annual tradition.

“We have some people who have donated multiple trees every year since day one and it’s really about supporting the Cancer Society,” Maczko said.

Word continues to spread.

Maczko said families are donating trees and purchasing raffle tickets from across the county. If you are unable to head out to the mall, tickets can be purchased online. Available trees will be posted on Facebook soon.

“Every tree is numbered and we’ll put your name on a ticket for a chance to win. On Dec. 14 around 3 p.m. or so, we’ll draw names for the raffle live on Facebook for everyone to see,” Maczko said.

Relay for Life was developed by the American Cancer Society as a way to celebrate cancer survivors, celebrate caregivers, honor loved ones and fight back against cancer.

Every dollar raised at the annual Relay for Life Walk in June goes toward fighting cancer, and the Too Inspired to Be Tired team has found a way to raise even more for the organization.

“This team has been in place since 2016. I’ve been on relay teams for 32 years but when my brother was diagnosed with cancer, we formed this team and have been going strong ever since,” Maczko said.

Visit Relay for Life of Fayette County or Sherry Maczko’s Facebook page to purchase raffle tickets, for more information, photos of trees or to watch the live Facebook raffle on Dec. 14.