Relay for Life

In March, JCCS was called to have a team in the Relay for Life.  It wasn't until May that I could recruit enough members to have a team.  It wasn't until the first week of June when we started our first fundraising activities.  JCCS employees and other friends came through big for us in just a few short weeks.

Luckily for me, Willa and I were able to attend the Relay in Kansas a few weeks before ours.  It was moving, inspiring and I was ready to rock our efforts even as I wasn't able to convey in words why I wanted to do it.
I was worried that we wouldn't be reach our $800 goal and then surprised as we crept toward it that $1,000 seemed reasonable.  As we flew by $1,000 I thought, wow, wouldn't it be great if we raised $1,500.  Tuesday morning I had the funds in hand surpassing that amount as well.  I was so excited, I just couldn't believe it.

Friday night we started our walk and joined the other teams around our "track."  I believe we were one of the few teams that everyone stayed the entire night.  We didn't have someone walking the entire night, but it was a good first effort I think.  There was one guy that ran, jogged, and walked the entire night.  He carried a walking stick as well.  I don't know his story, but he was one of the top fundraisers and has done the same for many years.

Overall, if I could mesh together the two relays it would be even more amazing.  Kansas' luminary ceremony would win hands down.  GF would get some points though for the slide show and having the luminaria in letter order.  The activities in Great Falls were great and really helped keep the night moving.  Over $81,000 was raised and fundraising isn't officially complete until August.  As the coordinator said, "Fighting Cancer isn't cheap."  Our team was #14 out of 47 and I think they are already planing for next year, what we want to do.  I know one thing for sure, our goal needs to be higher and we will be better prepared for the temperature drop in the middle of the night.