Crane A&E Fort Walton Beach employees pose for a photo during this year's Emerald Coast Chapter American Cancer Society modified Relay For Life event on Friday, May 14, at NW Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics’ Fort Walton Beach (FWB) team has refused to let the COVID-19 pandemic diminish its annual fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Serving as the event’s only platinum sponsor, Crane A&E employees proudly participated in the ACS Emerald Coast Chapter’s modified Relay For Life event on Friday, May 14, at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Relay For Life is an annual American Cancer Society fundraising event held by communities across the U.S. whose goal is to accelerate the fight against cancer. And fundraising has been especially important this year, as ACS Emerald Coast Chapter Sponsorship Chair, Jean Grieve, said COVID-19 halted Relay For Life events from coast-to-coast.

“Crane has just been an awesome team,” Jean said, “and they are the No. 1 team all year in terms of fundraising. They really go above and beyond. When they sponsor us, they are platinum sponsors and that is what the employees contribute. Crane really appreciates the cause, and a number of their executives have spoken at some of our meetings and have given us their story and how they have been touched by cancer.”

This year, ACS Emerald Coast Chapter’s Relay For Life theme was “Drive the Mission Home.” Instead of a traditional relay event, the ACS created a drive-in movie theater. The event started with a cancer survivor lap, but instead of a lap on foot, survivors were driven around in cars. Stories were shared, and luminarias were lit to honor every life touched by cancer.

“We concluded the evening with two full laps around the path, taking pictures of the luminaries of our loved ones, with the promise to keep fighting for them,” said Crane A&E Sales, Inventory & Operations Planner (SIOP) Leader Robin Ball, who helps lead FWB’s Relay For Life activities.

Strong corporate citizenship is a Crane culture pillar, and for years Crane A&E’s Fort Walton Beach, Fla., site has partnered with the American Cancer Society’s local chapter to raise funds for the nonprofit organization.

Each year, Crane A&E employees nominate local organizations for a financial gift through Crane’s Crane Fund for Widows & Children. Aside from the annual, charitable donations, Fort Walton Beach (FWB) associates have embraced the ACS.

"Crane has just been an awesome team, and they are the No. 1 team all year in terms of fundraising. They really go above and beyond. When they sponsor us, they are platinum sponsors, and that is what the employees contribute."

— Jean Grieve, American Cancer Society Emerald Coast Chapter Sponsorship Chair

Last year, the group raised $25,000 for the organization through creative employee-driven activities.

“We have bake sales every Friday, and have really good turnout for that,” Robin said. “We raise funds during our spring, summer and fall picnics. It’s lots of fun. We’ve had silent auctions and garage sales and design a company T-shirt and sell those for Relay For Life. It’s really good to see everyone on the shop floor in team Crane T-shirts.”

Robin, who has been supporting Relay For Life for 25 years, joined existing FWB employees committed to raising funds for the American Cancer Society when she starting working at Crane A&E 3 1/2 years ago. She was pleased to learn Crane A&E supports a cause she passionately believes in.

“I don’t have the complete backstory, but we’ve had employees who have passed away from cancer, and it really hits home for our organization,” Robin said. “I have lost my best friend over the last five years, and it’s very near and dear for me to work for a company that pushes the issue and really contributes to it and wants to be a part.”

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented FWB from hosting all its typical social fundraising events, but that hasn’t stopped the group from raising nearly $20,000 this year.

In addition to cancer research, Jean said funds raised in Florida help keep a 24/7 support line open and support a road to recovery program that shuttles patience between home and medical care. Funds also support Florida’s Hope Lodge, which provides cancer patients and their caregivers a supportive, free place to live while they are undergoing treatment.