The 2011 Relay for Life of Barton County raised a net total of over $125,500. Below are the top three fund-raising teams and top three individuals.
Teams – CPI Qualified Plan Consultants with $26,000-plus, Barton County All-nighters with $15,000-plus and Benefit Management Inc. with $10,000-plus.
Individuals – Clarissa McCormick with $3,000-plus, Marilyn Burton with $2,500-plus and Linn Hogg with $2,300-plus.
Fund-raising efforts have already started for the 2012 relay, set for June 8-9.
The Great Bend Tribune Team is sponsoring its Diva Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard, The Roth Embroidery Team is selling “I Love Boobie” braclets and the BMI Team is selling reusable shopping bags.
There is a much to be proud of for the organizers of the 2011 Relay for Life of Barton County.
First, Barton County was recognized at the High Plains Division Summit in Dallas Sept. 30 for taking third place in the massive division. Second, the relay earned the Five-Star Award recognizing efforts to involve survivors, advocate for research and raise money. Third, it will be recognized for first-place in the state at the Kansas Regional Summit in Wichita on Nov. 11.
“In these tough economic times, our community has definitely taken a stand to fight cancer,” said Linn Hogg, 2011 event chairperson. “Businesses, teams and individuals need to realize they can be apart of this. It doesn’t have to be a lot.”
The 2011 target was $125,000 and, after expenses, it cleared $125,536. The pricetag for a relay is about $4-5,000, so enough needs to be raised cover those costs.
The rankings are based on the money raised per capita and the Barton County total was $4.57. These numbers are compared to those division-wide, an area that includes Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Hawaii/Pacific Islands and Guam.
Hogg is now passing the baton to Shannon Wittig, her co-chair and chairperson for the 2012 Relay. “I am proud to be associated with so many wonderful people who donated and volunteered to make this possible,” Wittig said. “I can tell you that a lot of people have benefited from those dollars.”
For the last 10 years, the Barton County Relay has been number one in the state. With a goal of $115,000, the 2010 relay brought in over $120,000, the first Barton County relay in a couple of years to meet its target.
“I will do my best to continue with that tradition and hope and pray that soon there will be a cure for cancer,” Wittig said. “Research is just one way to work towards that goal.”
Wittig has participated in various relay committee posts over the years. “I got involved as a way of volunteering at work,” Wittig said. But, “it didn’t take me long to realize there were so many people around me that were affected by cancer,” and she wanted to do more.
She said she is just one person who believes that some day researchers will find a cure. “Until that day we will raise money to help fund research and help victims receive the things they need to cope with it.”
Wittig has chosen as her co-chair close friend Sheri Elsen. “She is no stranger to cancer with family members who have passed and are battling cancer.”
The 2012 Barton County Relay will have a Disney theme and is set for June 8, 2012, at 6 p.m. with closing ceremonies around 6 a.m. June 9, all on the Barton County Coutrthouse Square in downtown Great Bend. Wittig has a goal of 30 teams.
“I want to thank everyone who helps any of the relay’s across the world,” Wittig said. “With out the volunteers we couldn’t do this.”
Dating back to 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., Relays for Life are the American Cancer Society’s single largest fund-raising activity. Started in the United States, it has become an international effort.
Wittig can be reached at 620-786-9322 or by e-mailing sameiam2003@yahoo.com. One can also contact the Barton County relay on facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/RELAY-FOR-LIFE-OF-BARTON-COUNTY/235770365617.
