Relay For Life Raises Over $86,000

Once again Adair Countians showed their giving spirit as they filled the track and bleachers at Booster Field last Friday night to do their part in the battle against cancer at the annual Relay For Life.
With the weather cooperating much more than last year, the Relay raised a little over $86,000 for the American Cancer Society.
"I am very pleased with the turnout and the participation in this year's event and we are very happy with the amount of money the community raised to fight cancer," Steven Baker, Relay For Life chairperson, said.
"Even in these hard economic times, people have still managed to make this another successful year for us."
The opening ceremony began with singing of the national anthem and an opening prayer followed by recognition of this year's Relay organizational team, and presentation of awards to the event's nine Hope Sponsors (who contributed at least $1,000 each).
Once the awards were presented, guest speakers Freida Melton and Tony Jessee took to the podium and spoke about their experiences with cancer and how it has affected their lives.
Melton, a cancer survivor herself, gave an inspirational and emotional talk with a message of never giving up and continuing the fight.
After a performance of the song "The Climb" by Natalie Collins, caner survivors Sue Stivers and Columbia Mayor Pat Bell honored the cancer survivors before embarking on the Survivor's Lap.
Following the Survivors' Lap, they were joined on the track by caregivers, kids fighting cancer, and all the members of the Relay teams.
The teams that raised the most money were also recognized and the A Class Act team - comprised of teachers from Adair County Elementary and Col. William Casey took home the first place award for raising over $8,000 in the business division
In addition to recognizing the groups or businesses that raised the most money, the committee also recognized Paige Grider and Krissy Thomas for their fundraising efforts in the first online Kid Relay.
Grider came in second for raising $1,700 while Thomas took home the first place award for raising $2,300.
This year's Relay also featured a cake auction to help raise money for the cause and again the participants showed their dedication by raising over $700.00.
After a time for fun, games and food, the participants were called to the bleachers for the most touching part of the event - the Luminary Ceremony.
The Luminary Ceremony features white bags with candles inside that are placed along the track and during the ceremony the candles are lit in memory of those who lost the battle against cancer, and in honor of those who have survived.
"I want to thank all of the teams, the committee and everyone that participated in this year's event for all of their hard work and dedication in making it another successful year for the Adair County Relay For Life," stated Baker.
Photo: Noah Thomas (left), who accepted the award for his sister Krissy, and Paige Grider, who raised the most money in the online Kid's Relay led the team lap at the Relay For Life last Friday night. (Photo By Lawrence Harris)