FRANKLIN-Franklin-Southampton Relay For Life raised more than its goal of $117,000 by the end of festivities on Saturday.

Some $117,553 was raised at the event in an open field adjacent to Bronco Federal Credit Union on Stewart

Drive. Relay For Life raises money for the American Cancer Society and raises awareness of the disease.

The total already exceeds last year’s contributions of nearly $114,000. More will be raised during the summer as individual teams continue to host events.

Manry Rawls Insurance received the Chester Burgess Spirit of Relay Award, given to the organization or individual that displays extraordinary commitment to the event. Mollie Blythe, co-captain of the Hunterdale Christian Church &uot;Steps of Hope&uot; team, won the individual Chester Burgess Award.

The award is named for one of the founders of the local Relay For Life event. Burgess died of cancer in May 2001.