Despite Wednesday’s devastating storms, approximately 2,500 people attended the 2011 Relay For Life of Chilton County overnight Friday to help raise money for cancer awareness, prevention and support.

“I think it was great. I couldn’t ask for better weather that’s for sure,” said Ann Glasscock, Relay chairwoman. “We had a few less people than last year, but considering the storms, it was a great turnout. A lot of people got called out to help with the cleanups.”

The county’s goal was $199,615, and the total raised was a little more than $160,000.

The top three fundraising teams who raised the most money were Lime Springs United Methodist Church with $17,600 taking first place; Mineral Springs Baptist Church with $11,169 at second place; and Jemison Elementary with $8,126 taking third.

The top winners of each category were:

•Spirit of Relay, Hatley Health Care

•Top fund-raising organization, Mid-Alabama Rovers

•Top fund-raising church, Lime Springs United Methodist

•Business, Chilton Medical Center

•School, Jemison Elementary

•New Team, Chow & Checkers

•On-line, Clanton First United Methodist

•Individual, Mac Traywick

•Most Lumianrias sold, Mineral Springs Baptist Church

“I also would like to mention the teams who braved it all night,” said Glasscock. “Clanton First United Methodist, MorLyn’s, Youth Fighting Cancer, Chilton County Board of Education, Highland Baptist, Team Sheriff, First Assembly of God and Lime Springs United Methodist.”

Glasscock’s favorite part of the night was hearing the survivors share their stories with the audience.

“Personally, I had the honor of holding the microphone as survivors came up and told their stories,” Glasscock said. “Looking into their eyes and hearing their stories – some had been survivors for 20 and 30 years, and some were small children. They were able to stand there and say I have survived and I am surviving. That was the best part for me.”