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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Wilton Bulletin
One day last September, Donna Burzynski, the lead listing agent of the Burzynski Group, passed my desk and handed me a flyer, asking me to come to a recruitment rally in our office. I knew nothing about the relay and less about Donna. I knew I had always wanted to “volunteer” and being new to the office I thought it might be a nice way to both get involved and meet new people. So I came to her meeting and ended up volunteering for the publicity committee (not knowing what I’d be doing!). In the meantime Donna and her partner, MaryAnn Dionisio, (the “buyer” agent of the team) were steering every committee and running the show. I asked myself, why would the two busiest agents in my office take on such a time-consuming and emotionally draining job, and on top of it, volunteer for it? To take on the task of co-chairs of this year’s Relay for Life, an event that raised more than $260,000 in 2007? How would they find the time to orchestrate such a many-faceted, large-scale event? I thought there had to be an angle. But first let me give you some back ground on the relay itself. Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., decided to raise money for his local American Cancer Society office. He spent more then 24 hours circling the track. He logged more then 83 miles and raised $27,000 to fight cancer. The following year the first Team Relay event took place and today Relay for Life is the largest fund-raiser of the American Cancer Society, raising more than $405 million. Today, Relay for Life of Wilton, Weston, Westport and New Canaan is celebrating its 11th year. We are proud to be one of 180 relays in New England. Back to Donna and MaryAnn, the number one team at our William Raveis Wilton Office. About two years ago Donna, a Wilton resident and a top Realtor in the area for more than 20 years, met MaryAnn (also a Wilton resident and top Realtor) doing a transaction. Donna was impressed with MaryAnn’s style and expertise (and for all who know her, I’m sure her wicked sense of humor!). Knowing that the market was changing and that “service was now, more then ever a high priority,” Donna decided to invite MaryAnn to work with her. It was love at first sight and the two (who complement one another’s skills and personalities) have been “knocking them down” ever since. I recently sat down with them, wanting to know more about what drives such busy Realtors and full-time, single moms. (Donna’s daughter, Alyssa is a junior and MaryAnn’s daughter, Natalie is a sophomore, both at Wilton High School.) After years of working hard and raising children on their own, Donna and MaryAnn finally had some free time to give back. It happened that both of Donna’s parents had died from cancer and working for the relay seemed a natural place to start. In 2007, they were given the responsibility of co-chairs for the Survivor Committee. This year they were named co-chairs for the entire event. I found there wasn’t any “angle” to their involvement, only two nice people with a desire to do something good. They were looking for that sense of satisfaction, the feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that one gets from participating in some thing that matters. “Imagine being there the day of the relay (May 17), the Survivor Reception, the Opening Ceremony, the first lap taken by the survivors, then the second joined by their caretakers, and then the third lap, where all the teams (last year we had 89) walk around the track; the music, the Survivor’s Dinner... all that, and you made all this happen,” said Donna. As overwhelming as the job responsibilities are, they are both honored to be able to, “celebrate life” and take on the challenge of growing the relay. They started recruiting for the relay back in September and they can easily work ore than 10 to 20 hours a week. However, their work has not been in vain — they have already brought about many positive and effective changes. The event will now take place on a Saturday (in the past it was on a Friday), making it more “family friendly” and easier for folks who work during the week to get involved. They have also added a stage and increased the entertainment. This year there will be music, booths, games for children and the opportunity to mingle, and share in their community, all for a great cause. The stage will feature at least three bands and a variety of musical selections. There will be a movie tent, and games and activities for children, including tug-of-war, limbo, a dunk tank, pie throwing and face painting. There will even be attractions for the adults as well, such as Reiki. In addition there will be vendors (some operated by our teams), offering an assortment of food and snacks as well as a presence from the local caterers and restaurants. Donna and Maryann have had the opportunity to meet new people in their role as co-chairs, all who without their efforts and dedication none of the above would have been possible. From team members to sponsors, to staff members at Norwalk Hospital; and of course nothing could have been accomplished without the support and guidance of the American Cancer Society itself and the dedicated staff. One other reason the duo became co-chairs this year was to teach their daughters that “things just don’t happen; there are lots of steps and planning involved in every single aspect of the event.” But they hope the event will appear seamless and effortless. Information: Erin Nielsen at 563.1538, erin.nielsen@cancer.org, or main.acsevents.org/rflctwilton © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
