May 8, 2009 8 min read

WAYNESBURG – For the past decade, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Greene County has been one of the area’s most successful and longest-running fundraising traditions. To be sure, the local event has celebrated many highlights since its first year in 1999. But this year, the Relay celebrated its biggest milestone yet: Raising over $1 million in donations over the past 11 years in Greene County. The 2009 Relay, which was held May 2 and 3 at the Waynesburg Central High School Raider Field of Pride, officially and easily broke the overall million-dollar total mark, thanks to the donations raised during this year’s event.

Relay Chairman Chris Hardie said the 2009 event has brought in at least $130,000 so far, making it the seventh consecutive year that the local Relay has raised more than $100,000.

“This was another amazing year for the Relay,” Hardie said. “We were blessed and very fortunate to have the level of commitment from the many volunteers this year. The record-breaking total really shows the type of people we have here, and how much Greene County cares about this cause. Now that we’ve hit the $1 million mark, we’re going to shoot for $2 million.”

Hardie said he is proud to see that the event has become a true Greene County fundraising tradition, one that continues to grow with each passing year.

“The Relay is a powerful event that can really bring everyone together, because in one way or another everyone has been affected by cancer,” he said.

The Relay was a 24-hour event filled with many emotions, as people of all walks of life joined together and shared a day of laughter, remembrance, tears, joy, sorrow and above all, hope.

The event once again featured a wide array of activities that offered fun for all ages throughout the day. Although the event started off with Mother Nature in a bad mood, the chilly weather and overcast skies did little to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm displayed by those in attendance.

The Relay kicked off once again at 10 a.m. with the traditional opening ceremony. Shannon Wallace of Waynesburg sang the National Anthem, and Relay representatives presented special plaques to the many individuals, businesses and agencies that supported the Relay.

Andrew Stockey of WTAE served as the master of ceremonies for the event for the tenth consecutive year. Stockey acknowledged and recognized the many volunteers who served on various Relay committees, as well as the many sponsors, teams and individuals who donated or raised money for the cause. In all, nearly $35,000 was raised in sponsorships alone.

Following Stockey’s address, it was time for the traditional survivors’ lap, in which more than 100 cancer survivors participated. Just before the lap began, each of the survivors were introduced and then walked the first lap behind a large banner that read “Survivors-We Are Winning!”

At the end of the lap, the survivors furiously waved purple towels in the air, as a symbol of hope for a cancer-free future.

Leading the opening lap were several youths who served as Relay ambassadors, including Leah Koller, Chrissy Lahew, Gavin Moore and Sean Scott.

In addition to the cancer survivors, there were also a number of survivors who participated in the annual Rock-A-Thon at the Rolling Meadows Nursing Home held prior to the Relay. The Rock-A-Thon has raised more than $4,000 for the Relay over the past five years.

The emotional ceremony and opening lap was just the beginning of a busy day filled with a wide array of activities geared to the ongoing battle against cancer.

Relay teams raising money for the cause set up decorated campsites around the track. The campsites were decorated to coincide with the Relay’s theme, “Superheroes.” The tents were judged for prizes, and the winners were: First place, a tie between the teams of “Bob Deter and Friends” and “Remedy”; second place, “Mt. Morris Mighty Warriors”; and third place, “Country Folks Can Survive.”

As hundreds walked around the track throughout the day, there was live entertainment, musical performances from a number of “Greene County Stars,” food, karaoke, a celebrity soccer game, a “Miss Greene County Relay” pageant, a 52-lap marathon and much more.

This year’s Relay also featured the return of several other activities, including a “Fight Back” ceremony – in which participants made a pledge to improve their health – as well as the “Pack the Track” event, where everyone was encouraged to walk a lap at the same time.

The evening’s activities also included the touching luminaria ceremony, featuring the reading of names displayed on the luminaria bags in honor and in memory of those who have fought – and in some cases, lost their battle with – cancer.

The event concluded Sunday morning with a sunrise service and closing ceremony.

Days after the Relay ended, Hardie and Margie Smith, senior community income development specialist for the Greene and Washington chapters of the American Cancer Society, shared their thoughts about this year’s Relay.

Serving his second year as chairman, Hardie said he wanted to recognize the support the Relay received from volunteers of all ages and all walks of life. And though he admits the Relay is a great deal of work, the end result makes it all worthwhile.

“I have been amazed how the teams, committees and volunteers come together for such a wonderful cause,” he said. “For that one special day, everybody really works together. For that one day, it’s about making a difference. I am proud to be involved with an event that has practically become a very special Greene County tradition.”

Hardie also recognized the efforts of Linda Arbogast, who was instrumental in the Relay’s successful “Paint the Town Purple” sponsorship campaign. As part of the campaign, area businesses, individuals and agencies sponsored approximately 100 banners that were prominently displayed throughout the county.

“Throughout my years of involvement with the Relay, Linda’s efforts was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen,” Hardie said. “It is amazing to see how the arms of the Relay have stretched out to the whole county over the years, and Linda’s contributions are a major reason for that.”

Hardie also recognized the Central Greene School District for allowing the use of the Field of Pride, and the Greene County Career and Technology Center for allowing the use of their facilities for the survivors’ luncheon.

He also thanked Andrew Stockey for his commitment and dedication to the event, referring to the television personality as “the face of the Greene County Relay.”

Smith also acknowledged the 33 teams who signed up for this year’s event, as well as the 30 teams who participated in a Mini-Relay For Life event held on April 5 at Waynesburg University. The event, which raised over $10,000, included typical Relay For Life events such as a luminaria ceremony and a survivors’ lap.

Smith said it is the people who support the local Relay that makes all the difference in the world.

“What makes this event so unique, so special, is that almost everybody in the county tries to give something to this event,” she said. “They give what they can, no matter how large or small the contribution, it’s this dedication and support that makes the Greene County Relays so successful. This giving spirit, I truly believe, is what will ultimately lead to there being a cure for cancer one day.”

Smith said she continues to be impressed with the fact that the Greene County Relay has averaged almost $100,000 a year in donations for the past 11 years.

“That is nothing short of amazing,” she said. “This community really bands together for this special event. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to be a part of Greene County’s Relay each year. And I really mean it when I say that this county should be the prototype, the model for all Relay events.”

Smith also recognized Hardie, co-chair Sarah Bedison and the many committees and volunteers who helped make this year’s event a success.

Hardie is stepping down as chair and is handing over the reins to Shannon Wallace, who served as chair for the 2009 Relay’s entertainment committee.

Hardie said he plans to continue being involved with the Relay next year, particularly with Waynesburg University’s Mini-Relay.

Looking back at his past two years as Relay chair, Hardie said he is pleased with what the event has accomplished. But he knows the fight against cancer still has to be fought.

“These have been two great years, but there’s still work to be done,” he said. “The show must go on. Until there is a cure for this deadly disease, our work is not done.”