Sponsors pick up baton and run with it at Relay
By Daily Press staff
SMC — Hundreds of Santa Monicans turned out here this weekend to battle cancer, raising more than $155,000 for the fight.
More than 50 teams walked continuously for 24 hours as part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. Some came to honor those whose lives were lost to the disease, and others came to help support those still fighting it.
Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. told the crowd on Sunday, during the closing ceremonies, that he has lost four father figures in his life to the disease. Meanwhile, a fifth mentor — longtime community member Nat Trives — is a cancer survivor.
All told, the SMPD and City Hall raised more than $44,000 with a total of nine teams. The SMPD also held a silent auction, which brought in $9,000. A 2004 Rose Bowl game football went for $1,500 — the largest revenue-generating item listed in the auction.
Kevin Bernzott, who worked for the SMPD decades ago, purchased the ball.
But that’s not all Bernzott contributed. For the first time, the Santa Monica Relay for Life was able to bring in a corporate sponsor — Bernzott Capital Advisors, which contributed $10,000 toward the cause.
SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega, who was this year’s event chairperson, said he called his old colleague and friend for a donation — he didn’t expect to get a sponsorship.
“I thought I was going to get a donation of $100 or $250,” Fabrega said. “I never dreamed that he was going to provide us with a $10,000 donation.”
Every year, the event grows. The first Santa Monica Relay for Life, held in 2002, raised $68,000. In 2003, it brought in $78,000, according to Fabrega, who last year successfully beat prostrate cancer. He added that as the money continues to trickle in, he expects the weekend’s events will have raised $160,000.
“If we are able to reach the $160,000 mark, that means we doubled our income from last year,” Fabrega said.
He attributes part of this year’s success to area businesses who stepped up with sponsorships and teams, including local hotels: The Sheraton, the Viceroy, the Doubletree Guest Suites and Hotel, Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar.
The largest single team contribution went to the Fighting Flamingos, led by volunteer Linda Lovett, bringing in $23,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.