Relay for Life volunteers in Chilton County are gearing up for their 16th year of raising money toward cancer research.

For the nation, it will be the 25th year of looking for a cure. Either way you look at it, Chilton County is raising the bar for 2009.

This year’s kickoff is Monday, Jan. 12 in the Helen Parrish Activity Center of Clanton First United Methodist Church, beginning at 6 p.m.

“We have set a goal of 60 teams,” Relay for Life chairman Robert Griffin said, adding that this year’s fundraising goal is $201,000.

“That’s a good goal to work for. We want as many teams to come back as possible,” he said.

The goal is up about $5,000 from what the county raised last year, and the number of teams is up by at least five.

New efforts this year include a silent auction, which will be held at the kickoff next Monday. The event will also include food and information for anyone who wants to join in the fight against cancer.

“People who want to start a team are encouraged to bring one person with them,” Griffin said.

This will be Griffin’s last year to serve as chairman, he said. Next year, co-chairperson Ann Glasscock is slated to take over as chair.

Teams may register at www.relayforlife.org/chilton. Any team that has registered online before the kickoff will get their name put in a hat for a prize.

For more information, contact Morgan Choat at (205) 930-8885.