Organizers of the Berrien County Relay for Life held its kickoff meeting on Tuesday at Celebration Cinema in Benton Harbor. The goal of the event was to raise awareness and recruit team members for the relay, which will be held from 10 a.m. to midnight on June 22 at Upton Middle School in St. Joseph.

About 50 people participated in the event, which provided information on the relay, upcoming fundraisers, door prize drawing, and the opportunity to sit in the “big purple chair.”

“Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” explained Janet Wartman, senior community development manager. “This year we will celebrate our 24th annual relay here in Berrien County. We are blessed to have a core of passionate and dedicated volunteers who truly are making a difference in the fight against cancer in our local communities.”

Wartman said there is still plenty of time to form a team, become a sponsor or dedicate a luminaria. Anyone with questions or willingness to get involved should visit the relay website at www.relayforlife.org/berriencountymi or contact her via email or phone janet.wartman@cancer.org or 219-614-3282.