Friday night’s Allen County Relay for Life was a rousing success.
“Total raised so far is $43,303.52,” Deb Scheibmeir, financial chairman, told the Register.
Money was accumulated by 16 teams, including five new this year, and individuals who spent the night walking in the Recreation Community Building in Riverside Park. The event was moved there — it’s air-conditioned — from the courthouse square because of the ongoing extreme heat.
“All participants and survivors appreciated the decision of the Relay Committee to take advantage of the air-conditioning,” Scheibmeir said. “We also want to thank the Iola City Council for permitting us to use the building and especially to the parks and recreation staff for their help.”
Seven individuals, led by Ina Railsback’s $3,375, raised $1,000 or more. Saundra Upshaw raised $2,850, followed by Gwen Tefft, $2,040, Edna Donovan, $1,287, Scheibmeir, $1,244, Laura Vogel, $1,058, and Jean Parker, $1,000.
The Gates Corporation team’s pledges totaled $8,660, followed by Iola Sisters OK5A with $7,563, Allen County Hospital, $5,517, Dynamo Duo/Calvary United Methodist Church, $3,310, USD 258, $3,077, Irish Belles, $1,589, Chartwell’s, $1,346, and PSI Insurance, $1,317.
Annette Ratlief and Linda Odle each made 556 laps around the gymnasium. Winner of the best tent or table was Irish Belles, a new team that transferred this year from Franklin County.
About 65 cancer survivors were registered, including one new to the event, Gail Laymon, who was accompanied by her grandsons, Robert and Alex Warren. She was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.
“All in all we felt it was a very successful Relay,” said Scheibmeir. “We could not have pulled this off without the support of our sponsors and everyone who participated.
“It’s a lot of work,” she said, but all were enthusiastic and focused on their motto, “Our work is not done until we find a cure for cancer.”
AS WITH any event of such magnitude, many people help and many go beyond what is expected of them.
Iola Sisters OK5A sponsored a Kiss a Pig fundraiser. All team captains and Rhonda DeWitt, one of the Relay organizers, were given buckets to collect money.
Ina Railsback, captain of Iola Sisters OK5A, came up with the most money at $97.50, “thanks to the generosity of her extended family who fed the bucket throughout the night,” Scheibmeir said. “What a wake-up call at 4:30 a.m. (Saturday) to hear the pig squealing while Ina brushed its snout clean for a quick peck.”
Amy Shannon and Erica French led games throughout the night with a stick horse rodeo. Pole bending, barrel races and obstacle courses were challenges for “folks who were slapping their rears to get their stick horses to run faster,” Scheibmeir reported. “It brought a good laugh,” which as the night wore on was needed.
Uncle John’s Karaoke (John Barker) provided music and a sound stage. Several participants also got out on the gym floor to show off their Zumba dance moves.
Several teams provided food.
Gates Corporation served hot dogs, Polish sausages, chips and watermelon. PSI served up pulled pork sandwiches, with the meat donated by Marshall Barnhart of Dudley’s Done Right BBQ. Allen County Hospital sold funnel cakes and served breakfast, with a choice of pancakes or breakfast burritos, along with orange juice and coffee. The USD 258 team set up a popcorn machine.
Several teams had games, and the Irish Belles team brought along a clown who made balloon animals.
