The Dallas County Relay for Life is less than a week away and organizers are racing to put the finishing touches on a series of events that have so far received massive support.

“We’ve made $4,000 in online donations and sponsors and businesses have really stepped out,” Dallas County Relay for Life chairman Tanya Miles said. “People have called in asking what they can do. We’ve never had this much support and it’s just been an awesome experience.”

Selma Mayor George Evans gave a proclamation Friday supporting the Relay for Life and giving local businesses permission to “paint the town purple” by garnishing their doors in that color.

“We will hang a banner over city hall,” Miles said. “We’re asking businesses to participate by hanging up purple bows.”

A survivor’s banquet will be held Monday at 6 p.m. inside the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center in honor of those who’ve survived cancer. Comfortable attire, Miles said, is admissible.

“Everyone can dress casually — T-shirt and jeans,” Miles said. “We don’t want anyone to feel stressed about finding something formal to wear. We just want everyone to come out and celebrate the people fighting the fight, those who fought the fight and those who’ve made it through.”

Miles also encourages parents to help their children raise money for the cause in their schools.

“Students at Bruce K. Craig Elementary bagged groceries for tips at Calhoun Foods to help raise money,” Miles said. “Also our goal is for all home room teachers’ to raise $200. Teachers will sell snacks to their children to also help in the effort.”

Melanie Wright, principal of Southside Primary School, said the school’s faculty and staff have reached their goal of raising $5,000.

“We bagged groceries at Winn-Dixie and had our Pepsi wagon in front of Save-A-Lot to sell items,” said Wright. “We’ve done face painting, sold hotdogs, chips, popcorn pizza and even had personal donations come in. We’ll continue to raise money up until the last day.”

Wright, who said the school lost a faculty member late last year to cancer, will have their own relay at the school April 28.

“When we walk, we will release balloons for the late Patricia Calhoun Hardy because she was our cheerleader and she was special to us,” Wright said. “She has pushed us all to support the relay and we take the relay very seriously.”

The relay walk will begin April 29 at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Organizers will release information on the money count after the relay. For those who don’t have a team but would like to participate in the relay, they can pay $5 at the gate and receive a free hotdog, drink and a bag of chips.

Luminaries, or items purchased in honor of a person fighting for or who has lost a battle to cancer, will be sold for $5 each. The ceremony, including bags with names of survivors on them and candles held up in remembrance, will take place at 9 p.m.

For more information on relay events call 876-9335.