Culpeper team receives Relay for Life award

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: December 1, 2008

The American Cancer Society recognized Culpeper County and a local Relay for Life team earlier this month for its fundraising efforts.

Relay for Life is an annual overnight event that inspires communities throughout the country to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against the disease.

SWIFT, which raised $51,229 or an average of $4,269 per member, placed first and received the National Team of Excellence award during a two-day ceremony in Richmond in November.

The Team of Excellence is presented to a group that displays significant support for events and missions, according to the ACS Web site.

Culpeper County placed fourth overall in nationwide per capita in the 40,000 to 49,999 population with $261,426 raised.

“It’s tremendously exciting,” said event co-chair Linda Robinson. “It says a lot about the people of Culpeper and how hard they are willing to work for it.”

The two-day event was held at Culpeper County High School’s Broman Field on June 7 and 8.

In Culpeper, there were 1,009 participants and 53 teams for this year’s event. Additionally, 129 cancer survivors took part in this summer’s festivities.

Teams are currently forming for next year’s event scheduled for May 16 and 17, 2009.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .

Want to go?
What: Relay for Life meeting
Where: Rappahannock Electric Coop on Madison Road in Culpeper
When: Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m.