Dexter, Missouri - The 14th Annual Stoddard County Relay for Life was held at East City Park on Friday, May 5, 2017. The evening was filled with hope - hope for a cure! Cancer survivors took their annual first lap around the track all wearing their purple survivor t-shirts.
The crowd was entertained by Dexter Tumbling and Cheer group, Carrillo Martial Arts students, Mia Williams singing with local cancer survivors. They sang "I Will Survive"! A silent auction later in the evening attracted several deep pockets to support such a worthy cause! Meatloaf and brownies seemed to get re-auctioned a few times to raise even more money!
A total of 21 teams were on hand to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Through a number of unique fundraising efforts along with funds from the sale of luminaries, local business sponsorships, and generous donations from the community, a total of $59, 472.26 was turned in at Relay. An estimated additional $10,000 still yet to be turned in, but promised.
Funds raised by individual teams are as follows: Carmode Family $315, Central Cats $8,186, KDEX $1,080, Liberty Hill Church $11,916.25, Preferred Hospice $910, Asset Growth Management $452, Health Nuts $645.65, SoutheastHEALTH of Dexter $1,115, Southwest Elementary $5,550.59, Spark of Hope $250, Team Webfoot $1,453.50, VNA of SEMO $1,575, Walgreen $1,285, Stoddard County Health Coalition $1,050, Bank of Advance $1,692, Faith Lutheran $3,153, First General Baptist Church $659, Tyson $1,504.75, Cypress Point $678, One Main $695, and Pyramid $1,397.
Sales of luminaria bags in honor of or in memory of cancer victims raised $1,270, while general sponsorships raised an additional $12,393 and donations totaled $905. With the additional funds pledged and expected to come forth over the next few weeks, the 2017 Relay for Life total is expected to reach $70,000.
Though this isn't the most successful in history of the event, both co-chairs Jennifer Hartlein and Belinda Worley were very pleased with everyone's support of the annual event. Next year will be even bigger it is hoped.
Pictured are standing from left to right: LaVonda Cameron, Paul Bevins, and Faye Bostic. Front row are Kristi Altman and Patty Mason. Patty was the honorary Survivor of the 2017 Relay for Life!
