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Monday, 16 June 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
NEW BREMEN — The 2008 Southwestern Auglaize Relay for Life wrapped up Saturday afternoon, after participants raised more than $65,000 to help in the fight against cancer. The theme this year was tropical and played on the title of the event, Re-Lei for Life.
A thunderstorm Friday night put a damper on the event and attendance was lighter than usual, but organizers were able to move the events indoors to New Bremen High School during the storm. Survivors took their first lap inside the school Friday night.
All in all, co-chair Matt Dwenger said approximately 15 teams showed up to walk out of 24 that originally scheduled a team. Dwenger said he thought the economy and the high gas prices played a role in the smaller turnout this year.
Dwenger along with co-chair Alex Rompilla counted the event a success as the two of them wrapped up the event during closing ceremonies Saturday.
“So you guys did a wonderful job despite the weather,” Rompilla said.
Several of the teams reached gold level raising more than $5,000 and that included the St. Marys Memorial High School team, and several reached the silver level, bringing in at $2,500 for the event.
Jarod Kinkley, who led the team from Memorial High School, has been active in the organization since his freshman year in high school. Kinkley has served as the team’s captain the past two years.
“Cancer is such a terrible thing it has to be eradicated,” Kinkley said, noting the disease has touched members of his family.
Rompilla is stepping down as chair and Dwenger is stepping up to the plate to chair the event for 2009. Cancer claimed the life of Dwenger’s wife three years ago.
“That’s what got me into it,” Dwenger said.
He spoke a moment at the closing ceremony.
“At times, there was only one or two people on the track,” Dwenger said, adding he appreciated their perseverance through adverse conditions. “Our goal is to get the 1,500 people dying (from cancer) down to zero.”
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 June 2008 )
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