Relay For Life haul expected to top $50,000

By RICHARD LUKEN
Register Reporter

Sandy Mintz, a cancer survivor and former Iolan, leads a team of walkers from Humboldt in Friday night’s Relay for Life event in downtown Iola. To the right of Mintz is Ruby Crawford. Iolan John Lynch, below, beat cancer as a child.

Moving the Allen County Relay For Life from August to June can be considered an unmitigated success, organizers reported.
The Relay, which began Friday evening and wrapped up Saturday morning, raised more than $49,634, treasurer Deb Scheibmeir said, which stacks up favorably with the group’s 2007 haul of $50,000.
“And we still have at least $2,000 more that we know about,” Scheibmeir said. “We will surpass our last year’s total.”
Donations, she noted, will be collected through the Relay’s fiscal year, which ends in August, and are certain to raise the tally.
Organizers noted other potential hurdles to a successful relay were cleared successfully.
The relay was held the same weekend as Iola’s citywide garage sale and many participants were prevented from showing up at the start because they were at a dance recital at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
They had plenty of activities to keep themselves busy.
Gates Corporation had a line of children’s games, as well as a number of inflatable attractions for children to jump in, race through and climb.
In addition, proceeds were raised from T-shirt and luminary sales — 604 candles were sold in all — at the Relay Store
B & W Trailer Hitches sold barbecued meals, while Arrowood Lane and Tara Gardens sold other refreshments. Elaine Lucas, a member of the Kappa Alpha sorority gave foot massages for $10 donations for the weary walkers.
John Barker of Uncle John’s Karaoke provided the sound system for D.B. Cooper and the Hard Cash Band early in the evening. The relay participants also had their turns at the mic, with several singing songs, telling jokes and even partaking in a cell phone ring contest.
Several merchants and area residents donated items for a benefit auction, which netted another $1,100. Leon Thompson served as the auctioneer.
Scheibmeir noted donors as young as 5 — Levi Meiwes, who chipped in with 50 cents — were among those who helped out with the cause, to benefit the American CanscerSociety.

SEVENTEEN TEAMS, including four newcomers to the relay, made up the 12th annual relay.
Saundra Upshaw of the Dynamic Duo and Friends team raised the most money individually, $1,965.83. Gates collected the most as a team, with $12,545.12.
Of the walkers, Rodney Crays covered a total of 18 miles during the relay. Sherry Donovan was next at 14 miles, while Kim Isbell covered 40 laps.
Isbell, journalism instructor at Humboldt High School, and several of her students sported cameras throughout the evening to further document the festivities. Picture CDs will be available for $12 apiece. For more information, contact Isbell at 365-8166.
Scheibmeir noted that Gates also has a matching fund effort still underway, as does the Iola Sister OK5A team (A.I.G. Insurance), which will further raise the totals for this year.
Scheibmeir also lauded the efforts of D.B. Coooper and the Large Cash Band, which was a last-minute replacement, created to a schedule conflict involving another group.
Weather concerns also proved for naught, as a brisk south wind and moderate temperatures kept the festivities comfortable for all involved.