Community Health & Wellness
Local bank branch’s team is leading the most important Relay race
When Commencement Bank hired Lucy Tello as a community banker at its Gig Harbor branch in 2023, she brought with her a passion for more than just banking and the community where her family has lived since the 1880s.
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She also brought a commitment to champion fundraising for the American Cancer Society. It’s personal for Tello, whose brother Ross died of a rare form of cancer in 2023 at age 21.
When Tello approached coworker Sandy Snider about getting involved with the Commencement Bank Relay for Life team last year, Snider enthusiastically welcomed her and appointed her co-captain. Snider has been involved with Relay for Life for more than 20 years.
The Commencement Bank Relay for Life team walks in the Relay for Life event in Tacoma, which supports the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society named the team its Nationwide Corporate Team of the Year for 2025.
Relay for Life Corporate Team of the Year
The Commencement Bank team participates in the Relay for Life Tacoma-Puget Sound.
The bank branch on Pioneer Way will host “Raise a Glass, Raise Hope,” on March 25, a fundraiser idea that Tello launched last year. Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society.
The team’s fundraising goal is $25,000, but it has a history of exceeding its fundraising goals. Last year, the team won the American Cancer Society’s Nationwide Corporate Relay for Life Team of the Year award.
“Bringing Lucy onto our Relay for Life team has been a true blessing,” Snider said. “She didn’t just suggest ‘Raise a Glass, Raise Hope,’ from concept to execution — she brought passion, organization and enthusiasm that elevated our team’s fundraising and strengthened our community presence. She has expanded our reach through her community connections and has helped us engage new supporters who may not have been involved otherwise.”
Sandy Snider and Lucy Tello at last year’s Raise a Glass, Raise Hope fundraising event at Commencement Bank. The fundraiser was the brainchild of Tello, and helped to push the Relay for Life team’s fundraising goals to a Nationwide Corporate Team win last year awarded by the American Cancer Society. Photo courtesy of Lucy Tello
“Raise a Glass, Raise Hope,” is more of a social event than Relay for Life, but the money goes to the same cause.
“Clients and family and friends are invited, and we have beverages, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction items from local businesses,” Tello said. “We discuss what Relay for Life is, and my personal story.”
Raising money for the ACS
In 2024, the Commencement Bank Relay for Life team set a goal to raise $5,000, and exceeded it. They raised almost $20,000 for the ACS.
Last year, the team blew past its goal of $20,000, giving more than $42,000 to ACS. Part of that came from the “Raise a Glass, Raise Hope” event.
The Commencement Bank Relay for Life team won a host of fundraising awards last year, including the best tent decoration. The National Corporate Team of the Year award was the biggest.
Awards are nice and indicate that the team is growing in its efforts to support ACS. But Tello focuses on the outcome.
She said the money raised through Relay for Life goes to important research. It isn’t just numbers on a page. And one of the physicians who cared for her brother received a $729,000 grant at Seattle Children’s Hospital to develop ways to improve psychological and medical outcomes for pediatric patients.
From left, Cassi Prince, Sandy Snider and Lucy Tello at the Relay for Life in Tacoma last year. Lucy Tello has invigorated the Commencement Bank Relay for Life team, and helped exceed the corporate team’s fundraising goals for the American Cancer Society, helping them win the American Cancer Society’s Nationwide Corporate Team of the Year last year. Photo courtesy of Lucy Tello
Her family walks in the Relay for Life in Tacoma, and continues to support cancer research. She would like to see a Relay for Life in Gig Harbor again, but she said that will take some time.
Tello’s enthusiasm for ACS goes beyond her efforts in local fundraisers. She has sought out more ways to help ACS.
“I have a hand in a little bit of everything,” Tello said. “In September I joined the ACS South Sound Leadership Council. It’s over Thurston and Pierce counties, and generates fundraising, and recognition for volunteers, donors, and supporters.”
Tello represented the Commencement Bank Relay for Life Team at the Top Performers Conference in Charlotte, N.C. at the end of February.
Upcoming fundraisers for American Cancer Society
Raise a Glass, Raise Hope: 5:15 to 7:15 March 25 at Commencement Bank, 7804 Pioneer Way. People interested in attending can email Lucy Tello at [email protected]. Or click here to support Tello and the Commencement Bank Relay team.
Relay for Life of Tacoma-Puget Sound: 2 to 10 p.m. June 13 at Mt. Tahoma High School, 4634 S. 74th St. Register here.