Relay for Life raises over $55k

Earnest and Dorothy Chittick lead the Survivors Walk at last Saturday's Clay County Relay for Life. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Piggott's Heritage Park was once again the site for the annual Clay County Relay For Life this past Saturday, as teams from across the county joined forces in the fight against cancer.

This year's event generated nearly $56,000 toward the fight and the top fundraising honors went to the team from the Wise Company with over $15,000 in donations.

Under a sunny sky, and despite cool conditions, a good crowd gathered for this year's event as it kicked-off Saturday morning. Prior to the annual Survivors Walk, those in attendance were introduced to Earnest and Dorothy Chittick of Rector, this year's Honored Survivors. Following the introductions, the Chitticks led dozens of survivors and their families on the symbolic first lap.

Throughout the day the teams remained on hand at the park manning their various booths, and taking part in the ongoing relay. At the end of the day the trophies were handed out to the top performers, and afterward the day drew to a close with the luminary ceremony. Once again this year Shawn Parker offered the invocation and was joined by Tim McCluskey in reading the names appearing on the luminaria.

Those honored for individual effort on the day included Lenae Haley and Amy Dement for most laps walked by a female youth, Dathan Ballard for most laps walked by a male youth and Ellen Noles walked the most laps among the female adults as a member of the Aerial Bouquet team.

The award for most team spirit went to the team from Piggott Schools, best T-shirt went to the WRECK team from Rector while Emmanuel Baptist came in second.

The best campsite award went to The Wise company team and Piggott Schools came in second. The school team also took first place in the best spirit stick competition, while Emmanuel Baptist took second place.

In the fundraising competition, first place went to the Wise Company team with a total of $15,554, second was the WRECK team from Rector with $9,262 and the team from L.A.Darling was third with a total of $5,963.

Other team totals were Piggott Hospital at $4,789, Emmanuel Baptist at $3,753, Piggott Schools with $3,631, Aerial Bouquets with $1,369, Spoke-N-Word motorcycle club with $1,070 and the Class of 1980 with $649.50.

According to Susie Bowman, this year's relay chair, the total raised was $55,977.93. She offered a word of thanks to all who worked toward making the event possible, and all who donated to the worthy cause.