Relay for Life meets its goal

Published 10:25 am Friday, September 16, 2011

Mollie Patricia Blythe, from left, Mollie Blythe, Clay Blythe and Pitt Blythe walk the second lap of the 2010 Franklin/Southampton Relay for Life. -- FILE

FRANKLIN —What do a bingo night, softball tournament and a womanless beauty pageant all have in common?

If you guessed they were all Relay for Life fundraisers for this year’s Bronco Federal Credit Union Greenbacks team, you’d be right.

The group led the way with more than $15,000 and helped the Franklin/Southampton Relay For Life meet its goal of $128,000 this year.

“Bronco’s really big on helping different organizations, so it was nice to be able to have a team,” said team captain and BFCU Member Service Representative Stacy Story. “We definitely plan on being in it next year.”

The total of $128,324.23 collected by the 11 teams this year marks the seventh consecutive year the local Relay for Life has reached its overall goal, said accounting chairwoman Crystal Drewry.

“This year was a little tougher,” Drewry said. “We did not reach our goal until two weeks before the deadline (of Aug. 31)”

Other top fundraising teams include: High Street United Methodist Church at $13,530 and Steps of Hope with $9,490.64.

The proceeds from Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society and help support finding a cure for the disease.

“Whether we raised $1 or $128,000 we’re better off,” said Relay Chairman Jim Jervey. “The American Cancer Society has touched every one of us in some way. It’s an organization that brings together the majority of all communities and work towards a cure.”

Jervey called the local group’s consistency a tribute to the volunteers involved and those who were able to give in such tough times.

“I’m almost at a loss for words,” Jervey said. “I’m really proud of our volunteers.”