This activity is planned to coincide with the cancer walk and is a vessel for raising money for the cancer drive. Any resident can participate in the marathon but the team is usually comprised of those individuals who fold towels every morning. The marathon itself runs for approximately 3 1/2 hours; 8:30am to Noon.
Several days before the marathon is scheduled, notices are placed about the facility infomring staff of the event. Staff members are encouraged to pledge a specific amount of money for towels folded. For example $.05 per 100 towels or $.10 per 100. Donations can also be made in one simple gift.
The day of the marathon, a dry erase board is set up near the door to the activity center where a facilitator will keep track of the towell tally and let it be known to all interested, changing the total number every 15/20 minutes.
Laundry personnel must be included in this activity from the very start. The towels being folded will, of course, come from laundry and there needs to be a goodly supply. The day of the marathon, several helpers are required; one to count, one or two to unfold, one to gather, and one to keep up with the marker board, to announce totals to the participants, and help with gathering.
As towels are folded, they are gathered and carried to a long table. The “counter” quickly places them in stacks of ten, tallies the total and then dumps the stacks in a waiting laundry tub. The “unfolders”, quickly do just that, they unfold the towels with a quick shake, place them in a ready-to-go pile, and then distribute to waiting participants. All jobs are done quickly as the goal is to fold as many towels as possible (using the same quantity of 100 or so over and over).
Around 10:30 we call for a break and provide coffee or juice to participants. (Seldom do they want to stop!) At 12:00 the marathon ends and the total amount of towels folded is announced to all. Those who pledged will bring their cash or checks made out to the facility.
A kind contributor purchased vests for marathon participants. The vests have a Velcro strip on one side near the lapel area where Velcro backed stars can be placed. Each participant receives a star for each year they participate. The vests are worn all day, letting everyone know that these special people helped raise money today for cancer. Records are kept in the activity department. The participants have their pictures taken and the vests are placed in storage for the next year.
This is a great way to involve residents in an vital activity the benefits families affected by cancer. They are proud of their work and look forward to the marathon year after year.
