Relay for Life walks away with $73,000

[June 20, 2011]  The overcast skies did not reflect the mood of the hundreds of Logan County Relay for Life participants as they gathered inside the Lincoln Center on the Lincoln College campus following the Survivors Buffet furnished by John Guzzardo.

As the survivors arrived to register, they were given their survivor shirts and year pin and a carnation donated by Forget Me Not Florals, Three Roses Floral, Kroger's and Walmart.

Jim Xamis, emcee, opened the ceremonies by introducing the 34 teams who proceeded to take a lap around the track. Following that the survivors walked the survivor lap, followed by the caregiver lap. Then until 6 a.m. the track was filled with walkers as they remembered those whose names were on the over 1,200 luminarias lining the track. The room became silent as at 9 p.m. Bill Post read the over 1,200 names on the luminarias, now lit. The rest of the night Teresa Luken kept everyone awake with various games, music entertainment and announcements of food available!

At the close of the Relay for Life at 6 Saturday morning, over 75 purple balloons were released to celebrate the results. The top three winning teams in collections were Peggy's Place, Purple Utendo and Northern Lights. The total at balloon launch was $73,415.94.

Anyone who was not able to make a gift to the Relay for Life can still do so by Aug. 31 by contacting a team or calling co-chairs Jeff and Maritta Robinson, 671-2309.

Survivors not able to get their shirts and pins at the Friday night event can still have one by contacting Tonita Reifsteck, 855-1645.

[Text from file received]