By DARLENE PRINCE
prince@crescent-news.com
Outstanding community support and mostly good weather contributed to record crowds at some of the seven Relay For Life events held in June in northwest Ohio.
While the area's poor economy did hold down the number of donations, a total of $709,000 has been raised thus far at the relays. More funds are expected to come in during the summer.
The relays are held annually across the United States and serve as fund-raisers for the American Cancer Society.
The Relay For Life of Hicksville was held at the Defiance County Fairgrounds on June 19-20. Karla Batt, income development coordinator for the American Cancer Society, said the Kevin Sharp concert held at the fairgrounds was a huge success.
"People from all around Ohio and Indiana came for the concert," she said. "The committee members did a wonderful job preparing for the new location at the fairgrounds and the weather held for us during the concert." The goal for the Hicksville relay committee was $70,000, with $53,000 raised so far. Last year, the relay raised $58,000.
At the Relay For Life of Defiance, Batt said, "There were more people there than I have ever seen at a Relay For Life of Defiance." The relay was held at the Ayersville High School track on June 19-20.
"Our goal for the Defiance relay was $126,000 and we are already at $120,000," Batt said. "The plans are to make the goal before the end of August. We have more fund-raising events going on, so it won't be a problem. We are about $30,000 over last year's figures."
At the Relay For Life of Henry County, the teams' goal was $186,000 and they raised $190,000. The relay had a very good turnout and was held at the Henry County Fairgrounds on June 19-20.
Also at the Henry County relay, the Cancer Prevention Study 3 project signed up individuals to be part of a nationwide cancer prevention study. Batt said 188 people registered.
In Paulding County, Batt said the relay had its biggest turnout ever. The relay was held at the Paulding County Fairgrounds on June 5-6 and enjoyed perfect weather. The goal was $80,000 with $59,000 raised and several fund-raisers set for the summer. Last year, $74,000 was raised.
While flooding damage and lost jobs in Putnam County slowed down the giving somewhat in Putnam County, $60,000 was raised at the relay. The event was held on June 5-6 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds and was well-attended. More funds are expected to come in later in the summer.
Perfect weather and a large turnout helped bring lots of support for the Relay For Life of Fulton County on June 12-13 at the Fulton County Fairgrounds.
"We estimate there were about 2,000 people at the event," Batt said. "The goal was $130,000, with $126,000 raised," Batt said. "Last year, we ended with $124,500, so we have exceeded last year's amount. There are further fund-raisers planned for the summer."
In Williams County, the number of people attending was large, but the weather was stormy on Friday afternoon. Storms rolled through the area through part of Friday night and Saturday morning.
The relay was held at the Williams County Fairgrounds on June 19-20, with $101,000 raised. The county teams' goal was $117,000. Last year, the relay raised $113,400. Fund-raising will continue through the summer.