Relay For Life

(Advertisement)

CAMBRIDGE -- With a theme of "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back" the 2008 Furnas County Relay for Life exceeded its goal recently and raised more than $35,500 in its fight against cancer -- the highest dollar raised in one given year. Chairman Kathy Benson, her committee and team captains are to be commended for all the hard work in raising this amount of money.

The 70-degree weather was perfect that Friday night at the Clint John Field in Cambridge for the walk. Seventeen teams were assembled and had their tents set up around the track. After the opening ceremony at 7 p.m., 62 survivors proudly wearing their purple Relay shirts, walked the track for the survivor/caregiver lap.

Corporate sponsors were then recognized (see list below). Under the big tent, auctioneer Mark Hamel raised more than $2,400 by hawking to the highest bidder 40 beautiful baskets, while 20 baskets were sold by silent auction.

Jackie Keyser won the drawing for the beautiful pink quilt donated by Melody Brown of Cottage Inspirations.

The luminaria ceremony began at dusk with 867 beautifully decorated and inspirational luminaria surrounding the inside and outside of the track and spelling out the word "HOPE" in the stands.

Walkers of all ages were seen walking the track -- some were in groups, others alone, high school kids jogged -- everyone always keeping in mind their loved ones who have suffered from cancer. Team members and members of the community enjoyed the many activities and food and refreshments.

The evening's perfect weather continued, but distant lightning grew closer and closer. Soon after 2 a.m. when the storm hit McCook, the event was called. Tents were taken down, chairs and tables folded and put away, and a tired by happy group went home to their comfortable beds.

Another Relay is over, but the memories of the night will linger for team members having spent time together in support of this worthwhile cause.

Corporate Sponsors: Gold Level ($500) Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department, Faw Motor Co & Garage, The First National Bank of Cambridge, First State Bank of Beaver City, First State Bank & Insurance, Mark's Pharmacy /Shirley K's, Medicine Creek Bank, Tri-Valley Health System; Silver Level ($250) Adams Construction, Ag Valley Coop, ATC Communications, Beaver City Manor /Assisted Living, Cambridge Lions Club, Cambridge Rotary Club, Cambridge Telephone Co., Cargill Ag Horizons, First Central Bank, Good Samaritan Society, Hayes Construction, Holbrook Lions Club, Sexton Construction /Cambridge Redi-Mix, Standard Ethanol; Bronze Level ($150) Arapahoe Pharmacy, Cambridge Bed & Breakfast, Fult's Plumbing, Jan's Beauty Shop/Floyd's Body Shop, Security First Bank, South Central State Bank, Subway; In-Kind Donations (Gold) Cambridge Public School, Fish & Game Locator Magazine; (Silver) Cambridge Clarion, Cambridge Supermarket, Double K Meats.