County’s Relay raises $98,500
Published 6:42 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2009
It was a bull-riding, chicken-chasing, hula-hooping good time had by the hundreds who turned out for the 12th edition of the Butler County Relay For Life, “Rustlin’ Up a Cure,” for the American Cancer Society last Friday night.
Nearly 40 teams from across the county assembled at the Greenville YMCA field to engage in a variety of contests and activities as they honored and remembered both victims and survivors of the disease.
The fundraising also continued at the event, with $8,000 raised that night alone.
Event chair Galahad Smith announced the grand total at 1:30 a.m., with just over $98, 500 going into the Relay coffers.
“We didn’t quite achieve our goal (of $100,000), but I am very, very proud of what we accomplished with the economy in its current state. Our teams and volunteers all worked very hard to make this a success and I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate their efforts,” Smith said.
“We are already reviewing this event and looking at ways we can make it even better next year.”
Once again, the small but mighty Harley’s Angels team took top honors, raising an impressive $10,000 for Relay. Team chair April Langford lauded the community, saying its support of fundraisers like the Ms. Relay Pageant and the Benefit Bash had helped the four ladies achieve such amazing success.
Bank Trust also took honors in their division, with Hometown Medical winning the Spirit of Relay Award. Hometown also took first place in Best Camp Site with an Honorable Mention to Harley’s Angels and their “Iron Horse Saloon.” The Greater Greenville Service League won the Cook-Off.
A total of 45 area organizations, businesses and individuals provided sponsorship for the event, with the Butler County Farmers Federation serving as the event sponsor, Wal-Mart, the Luminaria sponsor and Priester’s Pecans, the Survivor sponsor.