Relay For Life and March of Dimes are two events in which the JROTC class works towards a common goal, which is to raise money for the research of cancer and premature babies. During March 7-8, the cadets will be spending the night at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds. This is the second year in the row which they have organized selling bracelets, buttons and baked goods for the fundraisers. In teams, cadets also take turns walking or running laps. Different shifts are taken in order for the event to go on all night. Also, along with the selling of different ribbons which are displayed on the shirts of cancer survivors, friends and family, there are also luminaries. Luminaries are bags of sand which contain a single candle. They surround the entire walking path and every person who has been affected by cancer, some way or another, holds up these candles as a symbol of remembrance or support.

“Every body has somebody who has been affected by these things. Survivors also walk,” Colonel McCutcheon said.

March of Dimes is another event that the JROTC participates in on April 17, which supports the research for the prevention of premature babies. Last year, March of Dimes had raised over $1.8 billion dollars. Cadets plan on selling miniature bears and accept donations at Wal-Mart Supercenters to achieve the goal of $500 this year. JROTC has been busy making commercials and posters in order to raise more awareness of this event. The money for these two fundraisers all goes towards the goal for Relay for Life and March of Dimes. JROTC keeps no money, but the cadets have the opportunity to earn a ribbon of their own.