Relay for Life tops $700,000 goal
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on June 13, 2008 1:50 PM
Months of work by hundreds of volunteers dedicated to the fight against cancer ended in celebration Thursday night at the annual Wayne County Relay for Life Banquet as the final tally showed the event surpassed its goal, raising $722,755.81 for the American Cancer Society.
"The way we capped it off tonight, to me that's the key to the whole thing. We're all just ordinary people, but it's amazing what God will do with you," said Dr. Lee Adams, co-chairman of the event.
The goal was $700,000 and the total could continue to grow, organizers noted Teams have another couple of months to finish turning in their money.
Last year, the event raised about $746,000. By the end of summer, organizers said, they hope to match that figure or event better it.
On Thursday night, top money-raising awards were presented to nine teams.
In first place was Wayne Memorial Hospital, which raised $74,369.58.
The Purple Star Survivors were second with $27,934.23, Shepherd's Shockers took third with $23,630, Wal-Mart, fourth with $23,358.50, Pine Forest United Methodist Church, $21,613.25, Gran-tham School, $12,988.41; Southeastern Medical Oncol-ogy Center, $15,287.50, and the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the Lancers, $5,148.10.
Wal-Mart also was honored as the National Partner Team winner. The award goes to the business that donates the most money.
The Purtty Team received the Team Spirit Award. The Individual Spirit Award went to Luis Blanco, captain of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church Team.
Connie Whaley received a special award for her work in with setting up the hundreds of luminaries. Each year, her school class puts them in alphabetical order.
The Above and Beyond Award went to Stephanie McCloud, who has been entertainment chairman in past years, but also took the job as activities chairman this year.
Glenn Massey received the Impact Award for providing a trailer each year to put out and take up the luminaries.
Other special awards went to Goldie Smith, Ethel Barnes, Southeastern Medical Oncology Center, Wayne Community College, First Pentecostal Church and Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Receiving certificates of appreciation were Donald Mercer, Tom Potter, Rick Davis, Jimmy Howell, Tom Jones, Grace Williams, Melody Hartman and Bill's Golf Carts.
This year's three relay honorary chairmen were recognized with plaques and awards. They were Cooper Bryan, LaDelle Smoothers and Carol Mitchell.
Campsite awards in various categories were presented to Greenwood Middle School, the Zion Marchers, Cherry Hospital, APV Heat Transfer and Garris Chapel United Methodist Church, which took home the overall best campsite award.
Seventy teams received All-Star awards for money raised.