This year's McDuffie County Relay For Life raised $183,000, Co-Chairman Bob Knox announced at the annual celebration luncheon recently.
"I thank everybody for their hard work," Mr. Knox said. "We started off the year saying we knew it was going to be a downturn this year with the economy. It would be tougher and tighter, and indeed it was. ... But for 40 teams to raise $183,000 is very, very outstanding... that's hard to beat."
Even though the amount was $97,000 lower than last year, Mr. Knox said "it was, in many ways, a greater accomplishment than last year's amount."
The national event is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It was McDuffie County's 12th year to hold a relay. For the past several years, the McDuffie RFL has been either first or second in the nation for money raised per capita. Mr. Knox said McDuffie County raised more than $1.9 million in the past 12 years.
"That's unbelievable," he said to the team captains. "And it's because of people like you."
Awards presented during the luncheon include:
Best Banner: Vanderhorst CME Church; Best Decorated Tent: Thomson Elementary School; Best Baton: Thomson First United Methodist Church, with honorable mentions going to Watson and Knox Real Estate and Thomson Plastics; Best Overall Spirit Award: CSRA Home Health Agency; Best Event: the Wilson Brothers Trail Ride; Renewed Energy Award: Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church; Best New Team: Thomson-McDuffie Junior High School; Premier Money Raised: Dearing Dream Team ($9,000), First United Methodist Church ($11,000), City of Thomson ($11,000) and Temple-Inland Inc. ($26,000); Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: Connie Richards; Best Overall Team: Thomson Elementary School.
"We were wonderful because of Lisa (Sellars - the team captain), she pumps us up with enthusiasm," said Ginger Blalock, of the TES team.
"(Ms. Richards) raised $1,000 just selling fried pies," Mr. Knox said.
He announced that McDuffie County would not have a RFL in 2010, but will in 2011. Several team captains said they would keep up their fundraising events, anyway.
"We can just tuck it away, and the pressure won't be as great the next year," Ms. Blalock said.
Mr. Knox also gave special recognition to David Ruehle for organizing the survivor banquet and survivor lap, the Junior Women's Club for setting up the luminaries, Leon Cato for setting up the event, Jim and Teresa Bitterman for counting the money and Mary Cain "for taking care of everything."
He said the end of the fundraising year isn't until Aug. 31, so donations may still be turned into Ms. Cain at the Knox and Swan Attorneys Office.
