Relay wrap up celebrates teams, individuals

St. Francois County Relay For Life teams continue to meet and beat each goal set for them. With a fundraising goal of $192,000 for 2009, teams went on to raise $210,472 for the season.

A Wrap Up Celebration was held Tuesday evening at Heritage Hall in Bonne Terre for all committee and team captains.

The top teams, individuals and others were honored for their dedication.

Dave Bahr, chairperson, thanked everyone in attendance.

“This event would not have happened if it wasn’t for each of you,” he said.

After announcing the total, he admitted the bar will have to be set pretty high for the 2010 event.

Various awards and plaques were given to seven teams who achieved platinum status or higher: Turner Chevrolet ($10,913.10), Toni’s Angels ($11,098.66), USA Drug/New Beginnings ($11,968.81), Team MAC ($13,104.30), Wal-Mart Shopping For A Cure ($16,252.05), Save A Lot/Save A Life ($22,549) and the top team License To Cut Cancer ($23,071.81).

Roy Henson, who was unable to attend, received a standing ovation when he was recognized as top individual fundraiser with a total of $10,920.13.

Those individuals raising $100 or more were also given certificates. All participating teams were mentioned.

Bahr left the floor open for a review of 2009 Relay For Life, both good and bad.

Some of the positive points brought up were the survivor gifts, all teams being recognized, theme laps, luminarias (1,800 sold this year), and the event laps and games. Some of the negative things were survivor food and bathroom arrangements for the elderly.

Bahr agreed to keep these things in mind when planning the 2010 event.

After four years with St. Francois County, American Cancer Society Staff Partner, Stephanie Hadfield is moving on in ACS and new staff partner, Amanda Wilson will take over.

Hadfield thanked everyone during her good-bye.

“This community is great and you continue to amaze me,” she said. “You are in good hands with Amanda.”

Hadfield applauded St. Francois County for being top out of the 38 in the Eastern Missouri Region.

“A Eastern Missouri Relay Summit will take place Nov. 7 this year,” Hadfield said. “This is a training for all committee members.”

The training is volunteer-led for all current or interested committee members. It will be held at Parkway Central Middle School for $10 per person.

For more information on how to become a committee member or on the training, contact Wilson at 314-286-8197 or ajwilson@cancer.org

A planning meeting will be held Oct. 27 at MAC’s North College Center for all interested in being a committee member for the 2010 season. Watch the Daily Journal for times and more information.

Several teams have already begun to raise money for the season.

Rockin’ For Relay is beginning their second year as a team. With more than $4,000 raised in 2009, they have planned an event with a massage therapists to start the 2010 season.

Show Me A Cure/ Show Me Rent To Own, another second year team, held an event at St. Francois County Races at the beginning of September and will continue to sell moons and stars at their locations.

St. Paul Lutheran School team is planning a New Years Eve event in the gym.

USA Drug/New Beginnings Relay For Life team will host ‘Cooking For A Cure’ by selling chili Oct. 3 at Farmington Family Center Farm and Ranch.

The Daily Journal team has several Halloween-related activities planned for October.

They will host a costume exchange from 6-7 p.m., Friday at NHC HealthCare in Desloge. For any donation, there will also be a tour of Hinkles House of Horrors at 308 South B Street in Bonne Terre at dark on Friday, Oct. 23.  A Monster Mash Party for preteens is being planned for Oct. 24 at Desloge VFW  with music, games, prizes and more.

Jessica Crepps is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. You may reach her at 573-431-2010 ext. 143 or jcrepps@dailyjournalonline.com