Relay For Life Tops $35,000

The 2012 Clark County Relay for Life was held Saturday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. and closed Sunday morning.  The relay was filled with good community involvement, good food, lots of good entertainment and good weather.

The evening began with a Welcome and prayer by the 2012 Relay Chair, Paula Fox.  Travis Mathes, Master of Ceremonies introduced the survivor committee who were Charlotte Fox, Judith Griffith and Ella Cannon. These ladies were in charge of the CELEBRATION of cancer SURVIVORS.  Cancer Survivors made the first lap walking around the square carrying a banner.  Charlotte Fox recognized these survivors by reading their names as they took the first lap. Survivors were cheered as they walked the track and were greeted with handshakes, pats on the back and refreshments as they finished their lap.  Caregivers also took a lap with the survivors as recognition for their dedication to the care of cancer patients and their ever present support.

Twice during the evening, an educational moment was given by Debbie Whiston, Mission Chair. The American Cancer Society stresses the importance of education as prevention to cancer and for this reason Relay is an excellent place to present this education.  Debbie also provided educational material during the relay and those visiting her display where given the chance to sign up for prizes.

Seven good sports competed for the Big Baby Contest with roars of laughter filling the air.  The final tally of donations for the Big Baby resulted in Tammy McDaniel, the Randy McDaniel Family and Friends candidate, taking home top honors and the golden rattle raising over $100.00.

The theme basket committee chaired by Jennisa Pullins did a great job this year.  The basket auction raised $2410.00.  Basket themes were of a great variety ranging from baseball, ice cream social, St. Louis Cardinals, etc. Daniel McAfee graciously donated of his time to serve as auctioneer this year.

Advocacy chairs Carla Derrick and Vicki Gutting with the assistance of Travis Mathes presented a skit on the importance of getting involved by becoming a member of ACS Can which is a group which works with congress to make sure legislation is good for cancer patients, etc.  With a little laughter included the skit provided excellent information regarding the ACS Can.

As usual stiff competition marked the Lip Sync competition with all seven teams competing.  Top honors were awarded to the St Paul United Church of Christ team with their rendition of a Beach Boys hit. Second place went to Hunting for a Cure and third place to Randy McDaniel Family and Friends.

At 9 p.m. the Luminaria service was conducted by Teresa Miller, Luminaria Chair.  As the candles glowed in the dusk, Teresa read the names of all those honored or remembered by a luminaria while a slide show scrolled the over 650 names.  Moving background music gave everyone a chance to reflect and REMEMBER just how many people in our small portion of the country are touched by cancer.

The “Fight Back Ceremony” was conducted by Amanda McCreedy.  This portion of the relay encourages individuals to “FIGHT BACK” by pledging to save a life.  To save a life all anyone needs to do is something as simple as encouraging someone to have a colonoscopy, a mammogram or to read a pamphlet about early detection.  Everyone in attendance was asked to come forward and make a pledge.

Team awards were presented as follows:  Most Money Raised – The Randy McDaniel Family & Friends with over $12,000; Best Campsite: Batting for A Cure-Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri; Most Luminaries Sold – The Randy McDaniel Family & Friends; Most Spirit went to Joyce Oilar.

During the late night hours the teams enjoyed a scavenger hunt and games provided by each team.

Cheryl Brammer and Debbie Dienst, Track Coordinators, reported a good turnout of walkers.  Team members competed for the most laps walked and this year Starla Shaffer and Aaron Macomber took top honors. Cheryl and Debbie expressed great appreciation to all the volunteers who helped punch lap cards during the evening.

Paula Fox, Relay Chair, reported that the 2012 Clark County Relay For Life had more than met their goals.  The goal for fundraising was $31,000.00 and at the close of Relay a total exceeding $35,000.00 was reached with some money yet to come.  The committee had hoped for 500 luminaries and there were over 650.  The committee and team participants would like to thank the entire community for its support and they are looking forward to next year’s relay. A closing meditation was led by Kevin Fox.

If you would like to get involved in Relay please contact Paula Fox at 660-727-3344 or any of the committee members because we are ALWAYS happy to have new people involved.

More Relay pictures will appear next week.