Local Relay for Life campaign far surpasses goal

Published 10:42 pm Monday, May 3, 2010

The final fundraising total for this year’s Chilton County Relay for Life is $190,348.18, well above the campaign’s $175,000 goal.

Ten of the participating 53 teams stayed all night Friday night until 6 the next morning. Their reward was a pancake breakfast served by the Mid-Alabama Rovers. Nearly 40 teams were represented among the campsites set up at the Clanton youth league football field.

Relay for Life chairwoman Ann Glasscock said she was overwhelmed by not only the fundraising but also the attendance, which was estimated at 3,000 including 150 cancer survivors.

“All of our numbers were bigger than before,” Glasscock said, adding that several Relay campaigns across the country did not meet their goals. “I appreciate everyone’s effort. I think the teams put more effort into their fundraisers. It was certainly a community effort, no doubt whatsoever.”

This was the first year for on-site fundraising. This included an auction of handmade items, which alone raised about $600. Also, several teams sold snacks and opportunities for prize drawings.

Glasscock was also happy that the weather did not turn bad throughout the course of the night.

“It was a miracle. God was good to us,” she said.

The following is a list of awards for those who went the extra mile to raise money for the fight against cancer:

Top fundraising individual: Linda Hand ($3,105)

Spirit of Relay award: Bell Lane Baptist Church ($4,094)

Top fundraising church: Lime Springs United Methodist ($14,063)

Top business: Peoples Southern Bank ($4,401)

Top school: Chilton County High School ($9,349)

Top new team: Mid-Alabama Rovers ($5,291.92)

Top online team: Clanton First Baptist Church ($800)

Top overall fundraising team: Lime Springs United Methodist

Top fundraising organization: Chilton County Sheriff’s Department ($4,131)

Glasscock also wished to recognize the teams who stayed at Relay all night. These were: Mid-Alabama Rovers, First United Methodist, Team Sheriff, Bell Lane Baptist Church, Union Grove Baptist, First Baptist Church, Lime Springs United Methodist Church, First Assembly of God, Regions Bank, and Youth Fighting Cancer.

A small percentage of the money raised will pay for expenses of the event. The rest will go to the American Cancer Society.