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Smithfield employees/team members enjoy festivities of Relay

Cancer survivors including (far left in yellow shirt) Pennie Pait a Smithfield employee.

In blue shirt waving, Jackie Harsey, cancer survivor, with her husband, David.

Bladen County cancer survivors.

Sand Hog, the mascot of the local radio station, gets fresh with a Smithfield employee’s wife at the golf tournament.

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life team effort at Smithfield Packing’s Tar Heel Division has come a long way since undergoing a team leadership change four years ago. Led by captains Susan Cole and Colleen Rambo, the team, consisting of members from each department in the facility, has done much for the cause.

The effort began in 2000 with various fund-raisers throughout the year. Members coordinated cookouts, donut sales, turkey shoots, raffles and a pageant for the children of employees, among other activities, to raise $20,000. Since that time, the number of events is down but the proceeds obtained have skyrocketed, through vehicles like Payroll Deduction. Smithfield is the first company in its region to use this method, and funds generated from it have increase from the initial $3000 three years ago, to $18,000 in 2004. The annual golf tournament has also become quite a success and is an event that both participants and team members look forward to yearly. The tournament, in large part sponsored by vendors of the facility, raised $53,000 this year for the American Cancer Society and was attended by players from as far away as Nebraska and was covered by the local radio station. Goals for the coming year include increasing payroll deductions to $35,000 annually and a possible expansion of the tournament.

Recently, a banquet was held in Raleigh, N.C. to honor teams from across the region. Among the teams honored, Smithfield/Tar Heel Division was saluted as the number one team in the nation. Just as importantly, Bladen County, where the plant is located, was found to be number one in the nation in dollars raised per capita, as well as number one in the number of cancer survivors who participate. The Smithfield team was also the first company in Bladen County to receive the "At Work" partnership with the American Cancer Society.

The Tar Heel team does not stop at fund raising alone. It is also active in programs to educate about cancer, its effects, research and treatments. The team has sponsored a Tel-A-Friend program, in which female workers throughout the plant are trained in counseling others in the important of breast self-exam, mammography, etc. In addition, a mobile mammography van visited the plant to perform base-line tests for employees while at work. An information center is also readily available in the plant clinic, offering information regarding cancer, the American Cancer Society, and telephone numbers to call for further information.

The Smithfield Packing/Tar Heel Division Team is proud of the money that they have raised and the recognition they have garnered. But more importantly, they are proud of the Smithfield workers who have made it possible. Many workers give their time and money to make this project a success. All funds are raised directly by the team at Smithfield Packing; however, any future donations or help that Smithfield Foods could add to the effort would be greatly appreciated and would definitely aid a worthy cause.

Susan Cole is the Health Clinic Manager and Colleen Rambo is the Superintendent for the 1st Shift Conversion Dept. at the Tar Heel Facility.