The ongoing heat wave didn’t deter area folks from turning out for the 16th annual Relay for Life Friday night.
Nearly 100 people walked and 87 cancer survivors registered online, although several were unable to come to the event because of weather conditions. The temperature hovered near 100 when it started.
The course was marked by luminaries honoring cancer victims. Donations totaled $56,454.77 to support the American Cancer Society.
This year’s theme was Salute the Troops. Tents were decorated in red, white and blue and many participants took the theme to heart. Gates Corporation won the best tent site award with its Memorial Wall, featuring photos of employees and family members who had served or are serving in the military.
The kickoff at 6 o’clock had cancer survivors, identified by sashes, making the first tour around the inside of the south half of the square, immediately after the Rev. Steve Traw, himself a survivor, opened the event with prayer. Traw also officiated at the luminary ceremony, replacing the Rev. Rob Francis, who was unable to attend because of the death of his brother.
Patty’s Posse, 36 family members and friends who teamed up to remember Patty Patterson, who died Nov. 28 at age 48, sold the most luminary bags. They were illuminated with battery powered candles.
Those who stayed past midnight were given raffle tickets at the top of each hour. Bill Horton, 14, of the Allen County Hospital team won four Kansas City Royals tickets in an event-ending drawing.
The team leader in donations was Iola Sisters OK5A, sponsored by American General Life and Accident Insurance. Its members raised $20,860.76, approaching half the total.
The individual leader was Ina Railsback, Iola Sisters OK5A, at $15,000.01.
Other team totals were:
Gates Corporation, $12,661.75; Allen County Hospital, $5,000; Patty’s Posse, $3,893.48; Dynamic Duo/Calvary United Methodist Church, $3,545; Chartwells, $1,536.27; Iola/EMS Local 64, $1,015.29; Personal Service Insurance, $728.01; USD 258, $726.84; Windsor Place of Iola, $692; Team Jacob, $515.77; Individuals, $512; Kerr’s Herd, $292; Colony Diner, $145.
Other individuals’ totals were:
Saundra Upshaw, Dynamic Duo/Calvary United Methodist Church, $3,265; Gwen Tefft, Gates, $1,955.49; Tresha Thummel, Gates, $1,087.89; Deb Scheibmeir, Gates, $1,049.31; Frances Jean Parker, Iola Sisters OK5A, $1,005.30; Edna Donovan, Iola Sisters OK5A, $1,005.03; Adelina Holloway, Patty’s Posse, $902.53; Melissa Stokes, Gates, $893.37; Katie Sander, Gates, $854.76.
PATTY’S POSSE, Team Jacob, made up of eight classmates of Jacob Smith who died in October 2009, and Kerr’s Herd were new teams this year. Kerr’s Herd manned the inflatable attractions for children.
Concessions sold added to money raised.
Pulled pork donated by Dudley’s Done Right BBQ was sold at the Team Jacob tent; hot dogs and Polish sausages were sold at the Gates tent; popcorn and snow cones were fare at the Iola Sisters OK5A tent.
The inflatables were provided by 123 Bounce, which also sold cotton candy and funnel cakes. Pizza was donated by Pump-N-Pete’s, Moran, to give team members late-night nourishment.
