Chilton County Relay for Life kicked off its 16th year last night at Clanton First United Methodist Church.

The 2009 goals were set as a gross goal of $201,158, a net goal of $189,158, a sponsorship goal of $25,000 and a team goal of 60 teams.

“We had a great year last year, and we want to have an even bigger year this year. Our goals may seem a little high, but they are not out of reach if we all do our best and work together,” Chairman Robert Griffin said.

The 2009 Relay for Life Kickoff included two new celebrations including a luminary celebration, a silent auction and a short auction. Tommy Glasscock was the night’s auctioneer, and he helped raise $450 last night by auctioning off a few football fan items.

After the auction, Dale Lenoir shared his survivor story telling people the reason why he Relays. He was followed by Ann Glasscock who recited a poem called “One Little Candle,” and the luminary celebration began and was lead by Shane Ogle who sang during the ceremony.

Each dollar amount shows the minimum needed to enter that status.

Bronze – $2,500

Silver – $5,000

Gold – $7,500

Platinum – $10,000

Sapphire – $15,000

Diamond – $25,000

Purple – $50,000

Last year’s winners for fundraising were introduced at the kickoff as bronze medalist, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with $2,530, First Assembly of God with $3,346, Union Grove with $3,375, Clanton First United Methodist with $4,699, Isabella High School with $4,825, Mineral Springs with $4,875 and Peoples Southern Bank with $4,887; Silver medalist, Chilton Medical Center with $5,007, Refuge with $5,057, Clanton Elementary School with $6,114, Pates Chapel with $6,149, Clanton Middle School with $6,154, Pleasant Grove with $6,725, First Baptist Church of Clanton with $6,871 and Chilton County Board of Education with $7,064; Gold medalist, Jemison Elementary with $8,118 and Highland Baptist Church with $8,396 and Platinum medalist, Jemison Middle School with $10,944, Clanton Intermediate with $11,045 and Lime Springs First United Methodist Church with $12,360.

“All of these teams did a great job and we want to push everyone to make it to that purple status on our fundraising chart,” Griffin said.