Being a member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association is a lot of fun.  However, there is also a serious part of membership.  As a chapter, we are required to get involved with a charity organization. This year we chose to support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.  This is a great charity event to participate in.  Sadly most of us know someone who is battling/has battled cancer or who has lost that battle.  All money raised goes to the American Cancer Society so that someday there will be a cure.

This year's walk took place on May 9, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN.  There were more than 30 teams that set up booths at the event site.  The Nashville Penn Staters' booth was decorated with blue and white streamers, sparkling lights and the blow-up Nittany Lion that usually is welcoming everyone to the Cross Corner Bar and Grill for football viewing parties.  We were voted runner up of all the rookie teams!

In order to raise money for our team we accepted donations in support of the people walking in the relay.  At our booth on relay day, we held a silent auction of entertainment memorabilia; services, such as, teeth whitening, a portrait sitting fee and 16 x 20 portrait, hair cut and style, an evening of babysitting and more; and gift baskets with a theme.  We also had a bake sale with lots of delicious baked goods made by Penn Staters and their families.  This was a success for us and we were able to raise a grand total of $1500.00, which EXCEEDED our goal of $1000.00.

As the team captain of our group, I want to personally thank everyone who helped with the booth, walked, baked, donated, cheered and stayed up all night listening to really bad karaoke!!  It was wonderful to have so many Nashville Penn Staters come out to our booth on the night of relay.  Let's Go State!!