Ancient Olympians competed in footraces, and the prize, a wreath, was symbolic. But the victors' home cities awarded the winners money.

Today, some races benefit nonprofit organizations instead of individuals. Turning a race into a charity run may seem like a simple idea, but it takes a lot of work -- and many volunteers.

Relay for Life is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Eight- to 15-member teams take turns walking or running around a track during this 24-hour event, and each team must have a representative on the track at all times.

Race for the Cure is a series of 5K runs and fitness walks held around the world. Proceeds from the Race for the Cure help to fund breast cancer awareness and research. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds remain in the local community where each race is held.

Winners of the race do not receive a monetary prize; instead, they are given a plaque and have the fulfillment of knowing that they are a part of helping find a cure for breast cancer.

Neither event could occur without volunteers.

This year, more than 3,000 communities participated in the Relay for Life, and more than 1.3 million people participated in the Race for the Cure across the United States.

Y-Press recently spoke with youths involved in these events to find out the importance of volunteering. Kaity Henry, 16, and Alyssa Turner, 16, volunteer at the Relay for Life, which takes place every summer at Columbus North High School. Stephanie Chalko, 18, and Christine Benvenga, 13, volunteer at the Race for the Cure, which took place in April in Indianapolis.

All four became involved because of family and friends, and also just to help the cause.

"I sort of got involved through my parents, really. They started as the food chairpersons for the relay after my grandpa died of cancer and my great-grandma and a close family friend in Arizona died," said Kaity.

"I got involved 'cause I know a lot of people who have died of breast cancer and who are survivors. And I like to help out," said Christine.

Two others had more personal reasons.

Alyssa recalled that "in eighth grade, Kaity said, 'There's this really cool thing that my parents do. You want to try it?' And I said, 'Sure.' And then a couple weeks later, my mom was diagnosed with leukemia, so I was like, 'Definitely, we'll do this for the Cancer Society.' And then it just kind of snowballed from there."

Stephanie's motivation was similar.

"My mom's battle with breast cancer started a lot of it and helped me see the need for research, 'cause since she has had it twice, I am classified as high risk. And so the sooner they can do the research, the sooner they can find a cure, the safer I will feel," she said.

All see volunteering as something important not just for them, but for the people whom they are helping. Even just spending a little time can make a big difference, no matter what the cause is.

Christine, who helped pass out water to race participants this year, said any time spent is worthwhile.

"I would say that it's really something that takes very little time that can help save many lives," she said.

"I think volunteering in general and giving back is an important part of people's lives. It kind of keeps your life in balance," said Stephanie, who helps out at the pre-race activities.

Kaity and Alyssa help line up entertainment for the relay, but their work starts long before that.

For participants, Relay for Life is a year-round project. Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of $100. Teams solicit donations, have garage sales, hold car washes, and more.

Kaity and Alyssa's team -- the Bald Eagles -- raised more than $18,000 this year, and some teams raise even more.

"The Busy Bees is a team of older women that raises more money than us every year," Alyssa explained.

But there are no hard feelings between the teams, especially during the relay.

"You see the people who have lost family members, and it's like a big family because everybody knows that they're dealing with the same thing, and it really brings a lot of people together," Alyssa said.

Likewise, emotions ran high in the survivor's parade at the Race for the Cure.

"The tears streaming down those people's faces were so amazing to see because they're all there together, and they've all endured the same thing," Stephanie said.

The girls agree it is important to volunteer.

"I think charity is making things better for mankind. (It is) a group of people as a whole working together for something and noticing other struggles people are going through and helping them make their road a little easier," said Stephanie.

"I think charity is not only raising money for people who are less fortunate, or with a life-threatening disease such as cancer. I think it's more of building bonds with people who are in charge of helping the charities, and building bonds with people that you would never see until the day of the relay," said Kaity.

Alyssa believes that the money raised is less important than educating people and making them aware of the cause. This year, Race for the Cure raised $750,000 in Indianapolis and Relay for Life raised $81,000 in Columbus.

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Carly Decker, 16.

REPORTERS: Christine Beyer, 12; Amber Gray, 12.