It's not the bass, the bridles, or the blues. It's the heart that makes the difference.
"We could not be this awesome relay without each of you," Peggy Willis, the co-chair of the Thomson-McDuffie Relay For Life, said at a celebration luncheon last Wednesday. "Just think, we are top in the nation per capita. That's little, bitty McDuffie County," Ms. Willis measured with her finger and thumb, "with a huge heart." She held her hands apart in illustration.
Thomson's Mayor Robert Knox, Jr., echoed his co-chair's sentiments to the relay team captains in attendance at the White Columns.
"I guarantee you that people all across the United States know who we are because of Relay For Life, and they follow how we are doing," he said. "But we really don't do it for the pats on the back. We do it for cancer research and finding a cure."
Thanks to an "envelope that the bus drivers found yesterday that they didn't know they had," the McDuffie County Relay continues to exceed its goal of $225,000, Mayor Knox said. And as a result, the American Cancer Society's Community Manager Danielle Caldwell had to keep her end of the bargain by having her hair sprayed red and black, the colors of the University of Georgia, her alma mater.
Ms. Caldwell said when she took over the job of community manager, she was warned of the possibility of painted hair from her predecessor, Summer Garrison.
"I heard so much about McDuffie County, and how much fun y'all have and ... she was absolutely right," Ms. Caldwell said.
Ms. Caldwell works with counties surrounding the Augusta area, and she said McDuffie is not only her biggest fundraiser, but the only county that paints her hair and has their mayor as a relay chairperson. Ms. Caldwell said other counties' chairpersons tell her they wish their mayor would get involved in the relay efforts.
"I have something to say if y'all can take me seriously now," she said with a laugh as she pointed to her painted hair. "Y'all are blessed to have your mayor as a co-chairperson. So, thank you, (Mayor Knox)."
Although they are not the motive, the pats on the back continued throughout the luncheon as people stood up to express appreciation of different individuals. Special thanks was given to Principal Rudy Falana and the Board of Education for providing the high school's track for the event. The City of Thomson's crew was thanked for their "quick and smooth" set-up and take-down of the tents. Ms. Willis received applause for her cheerleading inspirations to the teams throughout the year. And Dr. David Ruehle was recognized for his efforts with the local cancer survivors.
"We just about filled up that whole track with survivors during the initial survivor lap," the mayor said.
The celebration moved from pats to plaques as the awards were presented. The Best Banner Award was given to the First Bank of Georgia for their banner featuring the total dollar amount raised by the McDuffie Relays For Life so far.
The Best Decorated Tent Award was given to Thomson Middle School for their scrapbook memories-themed tent which featured photos and slide shows of previous relays and large pages for this year's participants to sign mementos on.
The Best Baton Award was given to Marshall Baptist Church for their hand carved walnut baton.
"Without a doubt, we had phenomenal batons this year," Ms. Willis said. "But one stood out because of the intricacy detailed work on it."
Thomson Elementary School was honored with the Enduring Spirit Award for raising more than $8,400.
"And most of it was in nickels and dimes from the students," the Mayor said.
The Thomson First United Methodist Church received the Renewed Energy Award for "bouncing back after drifting off for awhile" and raising $14,000.
Mary Wade received the Above and Beyond the Call Award for her efforts in organizing the Raysville Baptist Church team and raising $5,700 with only 12 people.
The Riding for a Cure event, sponsored by the White Columns Inn and the Wilson Company, won this year's Best Event Award with $7,000 raised.
Temple-Inland employees were able to raise $23,000 with their corporate match, earning them the Premier Money Raised Award.
And finally, the Overall Team of the Year was the City of Thomson employees who raised $21,000 with Fire Chief Rick Sewell as the team captain.
Individuals who raised more than $1,000 each were given a golf shirt, and the number of shirts given away grows every year, the Mayor said. This year's Grand Club includes: Kelly Bingnear (Thomson Middle School), Dr. Joe Greene (Community Survivor), Tammy Kay Brunson (First United Methodist Church), Bob Knox, Jr. (Co-Chair and Knox & Swan), Renee May (McDuffie Animal Hospital), Don McNeill (SunTrust Bank/Rotary), Debbie Petrie (First Baptist Church), David Ruehle (McDuffie Animal Hospital), Lisa Sellers (Thomson Elementary School), Mary Wade (Raysville Baptist Church), Penny Whitaker (First United Methodist Church), Foster Wylie (First Baptist Church) and Pat Wylie (First Baptist Church).
The Wal-Mart team was also commended for joining the relay as a team at the last minute. The store's assistant manager, Cindy Nelson, said they joined less than one month before the relay took place, so it was a learning experience. Ms. Nelson said in the past, the store has made donations to the cause, but has not been involved as a team.
"We are looking forward to getting one of those awards next year," said Michelle Knox, a department manager at Wal-Mart.
The final tally of monies raised from the 2007 Relay For Life will be announced when all the donations have been collected and counted at the end of August. The Mayor said next year's Relay For Life will be May 16 and 17.
2007 RELAY FOR LIFE AWARDS
Best Overall Team
City of Thomson
Best Decorated Tent
Thomson Middle School
Best Baton
Marshall Baptist Church
Best New Team
Fidelity National Information Services
Above The Call
Mary Wade (Raysville Baptist Church)
Enduring Spirit Award
Thomson Elementary School
Premier Money Raised
Temple Industries
Best Banner
First Bank of Georgia
Renewed Energy
First United Methodist Church
Best Event
White Columns/Wilson Company Trail Ride
