Wilkes Relay for Life raises some $45K despite early morning thunderstorms

The inspiring Survivors' Lap opened the 2007 Wilkes Relay for Life Friday evening, setting the stage for the annual all-night fund-raising effort.

Despite a thunderstorm that drove participants inside in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the 2007 Wilkes County Relay for Life was a tremendous success, organizers say.

"The Wilkes County Relay has been outstanding," Summer Garrison, American Cancer Society representative said. "We're at $44,151.31 so far, and more money is being turned in."

The goal for this year's cancer fund-raiser was $35,000.

A thunderstorm came through about 4:30 a.m. and ended the relay early. "Due to the bad weather we were unable to have an official closing ceremony," Garrison said in an e-mail to team captains. "We will announce all award winners at the wrap-up meeting which is tentatively scheduled for June 4."

Several teams were managed to stick it out until the Relay ended, she said, including Little River Methodist Aloha, Wilkes Health Care, First Baptist Church, Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington Church of God, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Pliant, Seventh Day Adventist, Washington Dance Academy's Happy Feet and Springfield Baptist Church.

The Regions Bank team won the Best Decorated Campsites award, with Washington Police Department taking second place, and the Washington Dance Academy Happy Feet team taking third.

With 25 teams and 40 corporate sponsors, the Wilkes County Relay had already raised half of its 2007 goal of $35,000 to fight cancer before the event. Local teams have held yard sales, bake sales, pancake suppers, and other events for months to raise funds for the annual event.

Local teams for the 2007 Relay For Life included: BiLo, Cancer Knockouts-Marcie Simpson Family, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Eric Pagan, DDS, First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church Youth Group, Georgia Peaches & Peanuts, Glit-Microtron, Ingles, JUMP, Key Club, Little River Methodist's Aloha Team, Pliant Corp., Springfield Baptist Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Twin Oak Baptist Church, Washington Church of God, Washington Dance Academy's Happy Feet, Washington Police Department, Washington Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wilkes County Senior Citizens, Wilkes Health Care Center, Wills Memorial Hospital, W-W Animal Shelter, and W-WES.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
The Office Cat	2
Neighborhood vandalism is out of control	1
The Office Cat	1
Drug problem growing; little is being done	1
The Office Cat	1
Family escapes death in semi hit-and-run	1
Feed a family of four for $10 a week	1