Jemison Middle School will begin their annual fundraising efforts benefiting the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life beginning this month, and fundraisers will continue through April.

Monday, Feb. 2, kicks off two events. The first is a competition between homerooms to see who can build the longest chain by selling paper links for 50 cents each. These links can be personalized in honor of or in memory of someone or can have the buyers name on it.

This fundraiser will run through Feb. 27. All homeroom chains will be joined together and our goal is to build a chain long enough to encircle the school’s campus. The chain links can be purchased from each homeroom teacher.

Also beginning Monday, JMS will be selling chances to win some autographed Jonas Brothers items. For $1, you can buy a chance to win an autographed picture of the group. For $2, you can buy a chance on an autographed copy of “Burning Up: On Tour with the Jonas Brothers.”

This contest will run until Friday, March 13. Students will be able to purchase these tickets during P.E. or at break. Anyone else wishing to purchase these tickets can visit the school office during school hours.

In March, the school will be selling chances on an IPod Nano donated by Tommy and Linda Porter. These chances will be $1 each or you can get 6 for $5.

Marquee ads can be purchased for $25 and can be in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Each ad will remain on our marquee out front for one week.

Relay for Life t-shirts will be sold beginning in late February. The school is accepting sponsor spots for the back of our shirt for $50 each. These ads will be business card size. If you or your business is interested in being one of our sponsors, please contact the school.

On April 3, we will have a seventh and eighth grade formal featuring DJ Fuzzy. The fifth and sixth grade will have a dance the following night. Tickets for the formal will be sold beginning in March.

Fundraisers will continue through the middle of April. The past two years, JMS has placed at the platinum level raising over $10,000. The school’s goal this year is to remain at platinum level reaching the $15,000 mark.

Several years ago, the school began these efforts in honor of our principal, Neal Clements. Even though Mr. Clements has since retired, the school still does this for him and everyone in our community who has been affected whether directly or indirectly by cancer. Relay for Life 2009 will be held on April 24 at the youth football field in Clanton.

The school will gladly accept any donations on behalf of their Relay for Life team and the American Cancer Society.

Contact the school at 280-4840 if you would like to help or for more information.