The next four months will be busier ones for members of the Purple Bucket Team. The committee helps plan the Relay For Life for Selma and Dallas County.

The team kicked off the 2016 Relay last week with a Rainbow the Sky lantern release at Riverfront Park.

Now is the time to start thinking about participating in next year’s Relay.

The event is respectful and somber at times. About halfway through each Relay there’s a powerful program that honors cancer survivors and those who died from the disease with lighted luminaries.

There is serious work being done too. Relays across the country raise millions of dollars each year to fund cancer research and help those battling the disease.

The Black Belt is generous each year, opening its pockets to the tune of half a million dollars annually. Of that, nearly $100,000 come from the Selma and Dallas County Relay For Life alone.

However, anyone who has ever participated in Relay For Life can attest that the evening is a lot of fun for everyone involved too. There are plenty of games, contests, music and other light-hearted moments.

We encourage businesses, schools, churches, clubs and other organizations to strongly consider having a team this year.

For more information about Relay For Life for Selma and Dallas County, contact Tina Yelverton, local chairwoman, at (334) 654-7019.