Hollywood, MD – Imagine raising over $24,000 in one evening for a good cause.
Team Struttin’ For Sambo accomplished this at the St. Mary County Relay For Life Fundraiser April 15, according to Teresa Spalding, team captain.
“Over 400 people attended, and they had the chance to enjoy two local bands, The Robbie Boothe band and Six Gun South,” said Spalding. “There were silent and live auction items as well as a couple of 50/50 drawings to help raise money.”
Event attendees could enjoy Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and nuggets, Papa John’s pizza, baked good, sodas and water to raise money for the event, said Spalding.
This is the second Relay For Life Fundraiser the team has participated in, said Spalding.
“We did our first Relay fundraiser in April 2015. This was our second fundraiser ever,” said Spalding. “We are currently working on scheduling our 2017 date, and hopefully that will be finalized soon!
The team has raised over $60,000 since its inception in 2011. The team’s name ‘Struttin’ for Sambo’ honors Sam ‘Sambo’ Spalding Jr., who passed after a two month battle with cancer, said Spalding.
“Sambo passed away in Sept. 2010 after being diagnosed in early July with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Spalding. “Since then, his sister, Dee, is a breast cancer survivor.”
The team averages about 70 people, with most being immediate family members, said Spalding.
“Some team members are life-long friends of the family. It’s a St. Mary’s County thing to be on the team,” said Spalding. “Ages range from babies in tiny Sambo shirts to the leader of the Spalding clan ‘mom-mom’ who is 81 years old.”
Team Struttin For Sambo is amazed and humbled by the generosity of the people of St, Mary’s County, said Spalding.
While unsure of how many people the team has helped, all proceeds the team raises have gone to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in St. Mary’s County where many people benefit, said Spalding.
“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported this event. American Cancer Society of St. Mary’s County Relay for Life will benefit greatly from this,” said Spadling.
Spalding had a few words for cancer patients, their families, and survivors.
“Get checked early, and get double-checked. Ask a patient or survivor if they need something, please don’t wait for them to ask. Listen to them. Be there for them in any way that you can,” said Spalding. “For patients and survivors, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is out there. If this event is any sign, St. Mary’s County will help everyone!”
The community can donate to Team Struttin’ for Sambo at this website.
For more information or to contribute to the team, contact Spalding at teklauda@hotmail.com
Jacqui Atkielski can be contacted at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com
Photos / Video TheBayNet.com Photographer Ron Bailey
