DECATUR, AL. (March 2021) – For the 10th consecutive year, Wayne Farms Decatur has made the American Cancer Society’s Nationwide Top Ten roster, after local team members raised more than $109,000 for the society’s signature Relay For Life fundraiser. Undaunted by COVID-19’s impact on fundraising possibilities in 2020, the local team held various campaigns on site at the company’s Decatur Fresh and Prepared Foods facilities, hosting bake sales, holiday ornament and wreath sales and even sponsored company contestants in the “Real Men Wear Pink” fundraising competition. Their relentless efforts put the company in the top 10 of fundraising teams nationwide, and helped put the Decatur event over the top and in the winner’s circle as the top Relay For Life fundraiser in the entire country.

That’s more than 32,000 cans of soda down the hatch—and when you add the Wayne Farms team donation to similar company fundraisers across the country, those pull tabs tally up to tens of thousands of dollars. The recycled aluminum pull tabs fetch from .40 to .50 cents per pound and help meet lodging and food costs for families supported by RMH across western North Carolina.

The Dobson effort was part of the Wayne Farms “Amazing Starts With Me” employee-engagement program, focusing on the company’s social responsibility across it’s operating regions. As part of the program, employees are empowered to support and participate in local initiativees and programs that foster and perpetuate positive community relations.

Beckie Patrick, Wayne Farms senior administrative assistant at the Decatur Facility said participation was outstanding even in the face of COVID-19. Historically, the company’s popular RFL charity golf tournament is the largest single fundraising element in the campaign, but had to be canceled due to COVID concerns. Patrick, who has been running the local Wayne Farms RFL effort for a decade, didn’t miss a beat and set out to involve team members at every level from line staff to senior managers. “We even got some of the guys to sign up for “Real Men Wear Pink” for the first time, and they raised $14,000 right out of the gate,” said Patrick. “I couldn’t be more proud.” Under her leadership as Team Captain, Wayne Farms Decatur has raised more than $1.28 million in the last ten years for Relay For Life. This year the company received the 2020 Spirit of Relay Award, recognizing those who go above and beyond to help the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life lead the fight for a world without cancer.