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News

From the Thursday, May 8, 2008 edition

Relay raises $249,000

Monroe County’s $249,000 total for Relay for Life may not be as high as last year’s record breaker, but the number of people involved and taking action increased by “leaps and bounds” this year, Chairperson Tammy Coburn said.

“The amount of spirit and work that went into this Relay was amazing,” Coburn said. “I am so proud to live in Monroe County. This is the greatest place on earth and I cannot believe that after so many jobs have been lost, gas prices soaring and the terrible economy that you still come together as one community in support of a cause that touches all walks of life.”

As of Tuesday night the total was at $249,000, but more money is coming in daily, Coburn said.

The number of teams topped 40 this year, and each one brought something unique and different to the event.

“They brought so much spirit and fun to Relay,” Coburn said. “The campsites grew from little tents to showplaces. Every team worked so hard to make their campsite the best on the track and I believe they each succeeded.”

The womanless beauty pageant returned this year, with 12 contestants. Christopher Brown, whose stage name was “Foxy Christina,” was crowned the winner by last year’s winner Clifford “Peaches” Bullard. Marshall Presley (Flamingo Pink) and Landon Allen (Hip Hop Heidi) were the other two finalists.

Teams were awarded in a variety of categories, ranging from the most money raised to Rookie of the Year.

Monroeville Elementary School’s team raised the most money, followed by Vanity Fair Brands and J.U. Blacksher.

VF Admin was named the “Backbone” of Relay for their work, and Bethel Baptist Church’s team took Rookie of the Year honors. VF Admin also won the Spirit of Relay award, best campsite, second place for best cancer fact and third place for best campsite food.

Monroeville Elementary was took home the Chair Award.

The YaYa Sisterhood won second for best campsite, followed by Monroeville Elementary. Monroeville Elementary had the best campsite food, and BankTrust was second.

Primary Care Center’s cancer fact was chosen as the best, and the YaYa Sisterhood was third.

The YaYa Sisterhood had the best baton, followed by Amazing Grace Beauty Salon and Bethel Baptist Church.

While Coburn is the chairperson of the event, she said the committee worked hard to make the event a success.

“I cannot thank each of you enough,” Coburn said. “The Relay and Peddlin’ for a Cure committees worked tirelessly to make each event the best that it could be. I think they succeeded. I truly believe that both events were the best that Monroeville has seen and it can only get better.”

This year's theme is “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” The teams could choose any part of the theme to decorate their campsites: some of the teams “Celebrated” survivorship; some “Remembered” those we have lost; and some chose to “Fight Back” against cancer.

“It was exciting to see the variety of themes and the work that was put into each campsite,” Coburn said. “Thank you teams for all of the hard work you did raising money through fundraisers, attending all the meetings, decorating your campsites, walking the track and being such a wonderful part of the event. Without you, there is no Relay for Life event.”

Coburn also pointed out that without local businesses and merchants, Relay couldn’t exist. She said Monroe County High School allows the event to be held at the stadium and, again, without it Relay wouldn’t exist.

The City of Monroeville, Monroeville Fire Department and Logistics Chair Rod Sims worked hard to make sure the event went off without a hitch.

New this year was the youth committee made up of teens from across the county. J.U. Blacksher senior MaeLee Taylor chaired the committee, even though she had a nearly full slate of school and church activities and a job. Meghan Wilde and Nathan and Dylan Matchett served as committee members.

The group called on schools and youth groups to volunteer their time and talents in helping during Relay and they organized the volunteer schedule.

“This was our first year to have a Youth Committee and we were pleasantly surprised,” Coburn said. “They did a fantastic job. I know they will continue to be an important part of Relay.”

Coburn recognized that there were more than just team members and committee members that worked to make Relay in Monroe County a success, and made sure to thank them.

“There are so many behind the scenes people that make our Relay for Life event a success I cannot begin to thank everyone involved individually,” Coburn said. “However, please know that if you were a part of the Peddlin’ for a Cure and Relay for Life events, you made a difference and your hard work and effort did not go unnoticed. Please know that for every little bit that you did, you helped save a life. That truly is what this event is all about.”