Relay for Life organizers announced fundraising totals for this year’s event. According to numbers from Relay for Life more than $46,000 was raised this year with a record number of Luminaries sold, more than 800, and 40 purple torches sold according to Luminaria Chair Marcia Dragolovic. This year’s Relay for Life moved to Northeast Park in Kewanee for the first time and was a drive thru event for the first time and even with these challenges, it was a major success. “This was a big change for us, but we came up with the idea and ran with it”, said Nichelle Morey, a long-time RFL committee member. “Our goal was to sell as many luminaires and possible and light up the park!”
The First Presbyterian Church team, ran by Sharon Deahl was also able to host their annual silent auction at the park this year. The auction was held in the pool house, just west of the aquatic center. The monies raised from the auction contributed over $1500 to the night’s fundraising efforts.
State Bank of Toulon was the top Relay for Life team by raising $9,203, followed up by Eagles Team with $8,686, The Over the Hill Gang, with $6,423, First Presbyterian Church with $6,423, OSF with $3,365, Sparks For Life with $2,220, The Cure with $2,032, Boma’s Beauties with $1,796, Kollege Kids with $1,180, Mission Possible $83, Tackle Cancer $30 and Pierson with $20. This year’s sponsors also contributed to that total. They were Illinois Cancer Care, Rumbold and Kuhn, Inc, Martin Bros. Company Inc, Nash, Nash, Bean and Ford, LLP, American Legion Post 31, Boss, Sullivan Door Company, 1st Presbyterian Church, State Bank of Toulon, Wirth, Inc., Morrissey Appliance, PNB, and Great Dane. Amy Sternes, another long-time committee member stated, “We were very happy with all the community support we received this year when we decided to change the event location, but we are definitely looking forward to being back out at Windmont Park for the 2022 event!” Morey added, “We really did miss everyone this year. When you have been doing this for over 20 years, you get to know your survivors and all your supporters. You become this family who all have a common bond, to fight this disease until we find a cure!”