The Youth Leadership Team was recognized for their hard work, during the Relay for Life wrap up in Jefferson County last week. Toni Milbourne

CHARLES TOWN — Jefferson County’s Relay for Life organizers hosted a wrap-up celebration on Aug. 6 to celebrate not only achieving the yearly fundraising goal; but, surpassing the $100,000 mark by over $34,000.

“We had 308 participants making up 42 team. As of tonight, we have $134,069.42,” said Relay for Life leader Heather Fauble, about this year’s fundraising.

During the evening’s festivities, Fauble paid tribute to those who made the “All Star Relay: Crushing Cancer in Jefferson County” a success.

“We have had phenomenal support from our corporate sponsors this year,” Fauble said. “Every single person, every single team is important to us.”

Fauble recognized the Schools versus Cancer portion of the Relay year, where the local schools hosted 122 events and raised $30,884.

“Jefferson County placed seventh in the nation among School versus Cancer events,” Fauble said, mentioning Jefferson County teacher Kim Walls ranked number 10 out of 3,627 School versus Cancer participants nationwide.

Winners from the 2019 Relay, included: Hearts of Hope, top fundraising team ($19,499); Mission Impossible, top rookie fundraising team; Brenda Dailey, top individual honors ($9,000); Hearts of Hope, Spirit of Relay Award; Barb’s Blessings, Best Campsite Award; Kave’s for a Kure, the Most Creative Team Flag; Barb’s Blessings, “Road to Recover” float winner; Team TA, top school fundraising team; Pandas Who Care, School Spirit Award at the elementary level; and Patriots for a Cure, School Spirit Award at the secondary level. David Painter was crowned “Mr. Relay” as part of the Relay night festivities, representing Emma’s Fairies.

Dan and Linda Hart spoke briefly about the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which is a nonprofit affiliate of the American Cancer Society. Founded in 2001, its purpose is to directly lobby the goals of the ACS. The Harts advocate for membership during the year in Jefferson County and have been so successful that Jefferson County is the only Relay in West Virginia that is an official ACS CAN Relay. Those who joined at the ACS CAN level will have luminaria bags lit in honor or memory of their chosen loved one at an event in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10. Luminaria will be placed in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

“There are over 30,000 so far,” Dan Hart said.

The Youth Leadership Team was also recognized at the wrap up. The youth met monthly to learn about the ACS and to become involved in helping raise awareness and funds for cancer research and about local survivors and caregivers. The group of youth all received small trophies, accepting them while sporting their self-designed neon orange T-shirts.

The potluck dinner and awards ceremony wrapped up the 2019 season and was the official start to raising funds for the next year’s Relay, which Fauble will again be leading.

“Moving into the coming year, we will work to match individual’s skills with the work that needs to be done,” Fauble said, after recognizing each member of the 2019 leadership team. “The 2020 leadership team will work to make the next Jefferson County Relay for Life as successful as all those before.”