About 18 teams were featured in this year’s battle to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, some staying up all night from 7 p.m. until 4 a.m. Saturday morning with the idea that “Cancer Never Sleeps” and carried the theme of “sports.”
Renee Bufkin, event chairperson, said that the Scott County effort resulted in $105,539 raised for cancer research, which was short of their goal of $121,000.
“We are short of our goal but we didn’t start until February instead of October as usual,” Bufkin said. “I think this is a great effort by all the teams and sponsors.”
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Among the teams participating, there was a healthy competition in trying to raise the most funds.
Tyson won the award for most money raised by large corporations with approximately $61,000 raised. Community Bank won the award for most money raised by small corporations with $7,807.51 raised. The team Spirit Award went to representatives of Scott Central Attendance Center with approximately $6,000 raised. The Midnight Snack award went to Community Bank and the Best New Team Award went to Team Sheena with approximately $1,500 raised.
Tyson won the award for most money raised by large corporations with approximately $61,000 raised. Community Bank won the award for most money raised by small corporations with $7,807.51 raised. The team Spirit Award went to representatives of Scott Central Attendance Center with approximately $6,000 raised. The Midnight Snack award went to Community Bank and the Best New Team Award went to Team Sheena with approximately $1,500 raised.
The Lighting the Way Award went to Slaughter Memorial Library which is the oldest team in terms of years of service to Relay. Slaughter Library reportedly raised approximately $6,200, Relay officials said.
“The victory, for this non-profit volunteer entity, was especially sweet after 13 consecutive years of participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event,” said team member Constance Slaughter Harvey. “This team is the oldest participating team in the area. The success is due to the hard work and dedication of the team members and the support of the community.”
“The victory, for this non-profit volunteer entity, was especially sweet after 13 consecutive years of participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event,” said team member Constance Slaughter Harvey. “This team is the oldest participating team in the area. The success is due to the hard work and dedication of the team members and the support of the community.”
Relay teams supported by area businesses held fund raisers for five months leading up to Friday’s main event.
Among them, Community Bank sponsored a dunking booth where the public could give their favorite banker and other area participants a surprise bath. They also sold hamburger plates, raffled a wreath, a Mother’s Day basket, held a bake sale, sold photos with baby chicks and rabbits during Easter and sold t-shirts.
Among them, Community Bank sponsored a dunking booth where the public could give their favorite banker and other area participants a surprise bath. They also sold hamburger plates, raffled a wreath, a Mother’s Day basket, held a bake sale, sold photos with baby chicks and rabbits during Easter and sold t-shirts.
Michelle Rushing, team co-captain for Community Bank, explained that their Midnight Snack award came from their theme of wrestling and their motto was “It’s all about the fight” against cancer.
“You had to prepare the food on site. We went with the idea that Popeye ate spinach so we made a spinach dip and it won the prize,” Rushing said.
“You had to prepare the food on site. We went with the idea that Popeye ate spinach so we made a spinach dip and it won the prize,” Rushing said.
As it is with many who attended Friday’s event, fighting cancer is a personal mission for Rushing who has had family on both sides to be diagnosed.
“We were up pretty late but as I see it, it is just one night of the year. For one night, I can give my time because it is worth it,” Rushing said. “My grandmother died of cancer before I was born so I never knew her. This means a lot to me.”
Rushing said that Community Bank’s team goal was to raise $5,000. Although the team didn’t get started until March, “we did pretty good in surpassing our goal,” she said.
The Slaughter Memorial Library had a tent during Forest’s First Friday Festival. The Bank of Forest held a 5Krun and walk to raise money for the cause as well, raising approximately $5,000 in their efforts.
As usual, the main event included a survivor supper an hour before the opening ceremony. After the opening ceremony, the first lap was dedicated to all cancer survivors and the next lap included Relay teams carrying their banners.
The focus returned to the survivors again an hour later with the Survivor Hour. At approximately 9 p.m., lights were turned off and the track cleared. The track area glowed from candles inside luminaries purchased and placed in honor of survivors or in memory of loved ones who lost their battle with cancer through recognition of the Lights of Hope ceremony.
During the night, food and recreational activities were available as Relay team members ran or walked their laps around the Gaddis Park trail with booths set up on the sides. Cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken wings, t-shirts, crafts, fish sandwiches, cheese fries and hot wings were among the food selections.
A raffle drawing was held and prizes awarded as well as kids games and other activities.
One different event from times past included a look-a-like contest held to pick the contestant that best resembled the character Flo from the Progressive Insurance television commercials. The winner, Linda Crotwell of Morton, received $250 in cash and $250 was donated to Relay by Tri-County Insurance of Forest and Morton which sponsored the event that included three contestants.
“Everyone has someone they know who has battled cancer and lost or has survived whether they are a family member or friend. We are now looking forward to next year’s Relay event and I encourage everyone who can to join the fight against cancer as a volunteer for Relay,” Bufkin said.
“We were up pretty late but as I see it, it is just one night of the year. For one night, I can give my time because it is worth it,” Rushing said. “My grandmother died of cancer before I was born so I never knew her. This means a lot to me.”
Rushing said that Community Bank’s team goal was to raise $5,000. Although the team didn’t get started until March, “we did pretty good in surpassing our goal,” she said.
The Slaughter Memorial Library had a tent during Forest’s First Friday Festival. The Bank of Forest held a 5Krun and walk to raise money for the cause as well, raising approximately $5,000 in their efforts.
As usual, the main event included a survivor supper an hour before the opening ceremony. After the opening ceremony, the first lap was dedicated to all cancer survivors and the next lap included Relay teams carrying their banners.
The focus returned to the survivors again an hour later with the Survivor Hour. At approximately 9 p.m., lights were turned off and the track cleared. The track area glowed from candles inside luminaries purchased and placed in honor of survivors or in memory of loved ones who lost their battle with cancer through recognition of the Lights of Hope ceremony.
During the night, food and recreational activities were available as Relay team members ran or walked their laps around the Gaddis Park trail with booths set up on the sides. Cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken wings, t-shirts, crafts, fish sandwiches, cheese fries and hot wings were among the food selections.
A raffle drawing was held and prizes awarded as well as kids games and other activities.
One different event from times past included a look-a-like contest held to pick the contestant that best resembled the character Flo from the Progressive Insurance television commercials. The winner, Linda Crotwell of Morton, received $250 in cash and $250 was donated to Relay by Tri-County Insurance of Forest and Morton which sponsored the event that included three contestants.
“Everyone has someone they know who has battled cancer and lost or has survived whether they are a family member or friend. We are now looking forward to next year’s Relay event and I encourage everyone who can to join the fight against cancer as a volunteer for Relay,” Bufkin said.
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