Relay for Life donations exceed 2018 goal
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 24, 2018 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Ethel N. Barnes, left, longtime volunteer with Relay for Life of Wayne County who champions the cause wherever she goes with the two-word interactive chant, "Wayne County," which evokes the response, "Rocks!" was recognized with the event's MVP award for 2018 by Paula Cox, this year's people lead.
Relay for Life exceeded its goal for 2018 and will continue collecting donations for the American Cancer Society through mid-August, said Brenda Robinson, community development manager for the southeast regional the ACS.
This year's goal for the annual fundraiser was $200,000. To date, $202,736 has been collected.
At Thursday night banquet, organizers recognized volunteers and presented awards for top campsites and teams bringing in the most money.
One of the award recipients has been among the most vocal for the cause, literally.
Ethel N. Barnes' booming voice has provided a popular chant at Relay events for years.
She entered the auditorium at Wayne UNC Health Care Thursday, leading her familiar two-word challenge to the crowd.
"Wayne County," she called out.
"Rocks," replied the crowd.
This continued for three rounds, as laughter rippled through the audience.
So when she was named one of the recipients for the MVP award this year, she couldn't resist reiterating her message.
"I just want to say that Relay for Life and especially Wayne County Relay -- Wayne County?" she continued.
"Rocks," the audience replied.
"It just makes me feel good when I say that," Barnes said.
"She just brings a lot of life to our events," said Ashley Woodard, experience lead for the event.
Barnes praised the faithful supporters of Relay for Life, saying it has meant a lot to her over the years to support ongoing efforts by the American Cancer Society to continue research and finding a cure for the disease.
She recalled the early years when it was introduced in Goldsboro, crediting Dr. Lee Adams with starting it in 1993 as a "Run, Walk, Swim" event at the YMCA.
Barnes has volunteered since 1996, she said.
"Throughout the years, our fundraising has not been as much as it has been. We understand there's a lot going on in Wayne County but as long as we can keep this going and support it, we have got to for the research," she said.
"You can pay somebody's light bill. You can do something temporary for them but most of all, we want there to be a cure and then it happens. I want us to be able to stop it (cancer)."
The other recipient of an MVP award was David Trivette, absent from the gathering but recognized for being a faithful volunteer and pitching in where needed.
A new award this year was the Team Spirit award, which went to a new team, "Hope Floats," a kayaking group out of Lillington that brought a team to the Wayne County Relay and used its 300-mile trip down the Neuse River as a way to support the ACS.
The team generated $17,664 for the cause.
"It was very inspirational what they did as a team, how they honor their families, their friends while they had cancer," said Paula Cox, people lead in making the announcement.
"They did a very great job for us with their first year at Relay for Life."
The top three teams generating funds and the amount they contributed this year included Handi Mart Pope in first place, with $24,362; Piedmont with $21,321; and T.A. Loving with $17,831.
The winning three campsites were Anchor Coupling, first place; E-Dub Fighters, a Relay team from Eastern Wayne High School; and Best Grove Church, third place.
The E-Dub team was also recognized with a new award, for most overall volunteer participation.
Vicki Terrell, this year's honorary chairperson for the event as well as a long-time volunteer, was also named recipient of the Doc Adams Spirit Award.