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Pinewood Atlanta Studios Unites Community at 2019 Fayette County Relay for Life

Hosted at Pinewood Forest, this year’s Fayette County Relay for Life raised over $170,000 for cancer research and patient services through the American Cancer Society. A part of Fayette County since 1996, Relay for Life is an annual volunteer-led fundraiser that has been a staple in the community. Over the years, participation in the event has seen a decline both in Fayette County and nationwide.

Not this year. The Pinewood Atlanta Team decided this was the year to put the event back on the map. Motivated both by being Fayette County natives, as well as having family members and friends affected by cancer, two Pinewood Atlanta staff members, Abby Bradley and Jennifer Walker, took on the role of Event Co-Chairs and unified the community in a way it hasn’t seen in some time.

Themed “Lights! Camera! Cure!” to showcase being across from the studio, this year’s event turned into a full production, drawing companies, schools, churches, volunteers from every corner of Fayette County (and even from across Metro Atlanta!) for honorary ceremonies, performances, games, raffles and a movie on the lawn.

Drawing on its relationships with the Fayette County Public Schools, Pinewood Atlanta Studios secured participation from every school in the county. Competition was also encouraged between the schools, with the top fundraising school receiving an exclusive tour for five of Pinewood Atlanta Studios.

Not only did every school have a registered team, but several schools were represented in live performances. These included guitarists and the orchestra from Whitewater Middle School, chorus students from Booth Middle School, and the Sandy Creek High School orchestra and drumline.

But it didn’t stop there. Eight food vendors and 29 sponsors joined this year’s event, thrilled with the Pinewood Forest location. Elected officials from throughout the county were also in attendance, including State Representatives Josh Bonner and Derrick Jackson, County Commissioner Randy Ognio, Fayetteville Mayor Ed Johnson, Fayetteville City Council Members Scott Stacy and Paul Oddo, Peachtree City Council Member Phil Prebor, Fayetteville Chief of Police Scott Gray, Peachtree City Chief of Police Janet Moon and Tyrone Chief of Police Randy Mundy.

With over 2,000 people in attendance, survivors, caregivers, patients, friends and family members showed cancer just how strong this community is when it stands together.