Relay reaches record fundraising goal
The 13th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greene County kicked off on April 30 with the traditional Survivors Lap, in which more than 100 cancer survivors participated.
Following the traditional opening lap at the 13th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greene County on April 30, cancer survivors release numerous balloons in the air, as a symbol of hope for a cancer-free future. This year’s Relay raised a record-breaking total of $225,721 in donations, marking the first time that the local event raised over $200,000 in one year.
WAYNESBURG — Relay for Life of Greene County not only easily exceeded the goal set for fundraising for 2011, it has set the record for the highest total ever in the event’s 13-year history in Greene, officials announced recently.
Shannon Wallace, who served as committee chairperson for the Greene County Relay for the past two years, announced recently that the local initiative had raised a grand total of $225,721 in fundraising for the 2011 Relay. The total is well over the year’s goal of $180,000, and it is officially the highest total in the Greene Relay’s history.
This year may not have been the first time the local initiative exceeded its goal, but 2011’s record-setting year will certainly be remembered as a major milestone for the event, Wallace said.
“I am absolutely in awe of the numbers,” she said. “It is so incredible how Greene County comes together each year for this initiative, and it’s amazing that we had such a monumental year in 2011, especially in light of the struggling economy. When I first heard how much was raised this year, I couldn’t believe it. It is a true testament to the level of dedication and commitment that our county has towards this cause.”
This year’s total makes it the ninth consecutive year that the event has brought in more than $100,000 in fundraising, and the first year that the event reached the $200,000 mark.
The milestone achievement comes two years after the event reached another historic plateau. In early 2010, organizers proudly announced that the Relay raised enough money locally in 2009 to reach an overall total of $1 million in donations from Greene County since the first Relay was held in Greene County in 1998.
The 2009 Relay raised a total of just under $150,000, easily surpassing the million-dollar mark by more than $75,000. And the numbers were even more impressive in 2010, when the event brought in a total of approximately $167,500, which at that time was the highest total the local event had ever raised. These totals over the past few years are a long way from when the Relay first started in the county, when it targeted more modest goals of around $40,000.
This year’s Relay, which was held at the Waynesburg Central High School Raider Field of Pride on April 30 and May 1 and featured the theme of “Greeneopoly – Don’t Pass Go Until We Find a Cure,” once again relied on a wide and diverse group of donors and volunteers and also featured additional fundraising initiatives that positively impacted the record-breaking total.
Wallace said the event’s success should be credited to the many people who supported the Relay.
“We couldn’t have done it without everybody involved,” she said. “It didn’t matter how big or how small, it didn’t matter if it was money or volunteering time or some other way…no matter how they supported the Relay, every single person’s support was important.”
The Relay once again had a large number of sponsors this year, which included several new business and corporate sponsors, as well as many new volunteers. Wallace also commended the 38 teams that worked hard to raise money.
“All of the teams were really terrific,” Wallace said. “The Relay would not have been a success without everyone’s contributions; it mattered what one person did, and it mattered what everyone did. I want to thank everyone and anyone who contributed in any way to helping this year’s Relay achieve yet another impressive milestone.”
Wallace — who is also a cancer survivor — also recognized the support the Relay received from committee members and volunteers of all ages and all walks of life. She also credited several individuals, including: Margie Smith, senior income development representative with the American Cancer Society; Andrew Stockey of WTAE, who once again served as the Relay’s Master of Ceremonies; Jacki Headlee, who served as co-chairperson for the event; Missy Brant, who served on committees and also coordinated the Central Greene School District’s Relay team, which raised over $25,000; Dylan Spencer, who served as the online Relay chairperson; and the youths who served as Relay ambassadors, Leah Koller, Chrissy Lahew, Gavin Moore, Sean Scott, Jeremiah Queen and Daniel Bradman.
She also recognized the Rolling Meadows Nursing Home in Waynesburg for holding their annual Rock-a-Thon, and Waynesburg University for their efforts in another successful Mini-Relay event, which raised more than $19,000 this year for the cause.
Though Wallace admits the Relay is a great deal of work, she said the end result makes it all worthwhile.
“I am amazed how the teams, committees and volunteers come together for such a terrific cause,” she said. “For that one special day, everybody really works together. For that one day, it’s about making a difference.
“I am proud of the milestones we are reaching with the Greene County Relay,” she said. “And I can’t wait to see what records this event will set — and break — in the years to come.”
The record-setting Relay in 2011 was especially meaningful for Wallace, who recently wrapped up her two-year term as event chairperson. She also recently resigned from the Relay committees that she served on, but she said she will still be actively involved “behind the scenes” with the Relay in 2012.
Jacki Headlee and Linda Arbogast of Waynesburg will serve as Relay co-chairpersons for next year’s event, officials said.
Reflecting on the 2011 total, Margie Smith of ACS said this year’s Relay results were “unbelievable.”
“Every year I wonder if we are going to reach the goal or even top it, and every year we do it, which is absolutely incredible,” she said. “Nobody can boast the level of dedication and support that Greene County can. The people who live here and support the Relay should be very proud of what they accomplish each year. It is just absolutely heartwarming and encouraging to see so many people from all walks of life, all contributing to the cause.”
Smith said the first planning committee for Relay 2012 will be held on Monday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Waynesburg Central High School cafeteria. Anyone interested in joining the committee should call Smith at 724-222-6911.
The 2012 Relay will be held on May 5 and 6 at the Raider Field of Pride.