Sorry for the late write up, I was waiting for the final totals to come in.
We did it again for the third time in McLean County Relay for Life history they made the front page of the local Pantagraph paper. The first featured the MidWest Garrisons Imperial Walkers in 2005 and now again in 2011.
The weather was perfect so it was great day/ night for trooping. The 2011 McLean County Relay for Life was a huge success. It is the largest Relay in the state of Illinois and one of the top 10 in the world. The McLean County Relay raised $544,662.00 for the American Cancer Society. The Relay started at Noon on Friday through Noon on Saturday.
The Midwest Garrisons Imperial Walkers were able to raise $4,941.77 at the close of the 2011 Relay & Reach Silver Status. Our Team had (2) "Grand Club" members this year Barry Benecke TK523, & Lisa Schneider TB4806. Individual team members who raise over $1,000 for their team are recognized for their extraordinary effort.
The Imperial walkers were a huge hit as always posing for pictures with fans of all ages. We helped keep order at the closing of the silent auction & walking laps around the track.
The Luminaria ceremony had both sides of the track as well as 3 extra rows in the end filled with remembrance Luminaria's.
There were 142 teams this year and approx 1,400 registered walkers.
Our Team members consisted of
Jeremy Wilcox TK7503 ***Stormtrooper
Chip Childress TK9965 ***Vader
Barry Benecke TK523 ***Stormtrooper
Ryan Summers TK2429 *** Stormtrooper / Tuskin Raider
Tom Durbin TK-9293 ***Stormtrooper / Magma trooper
Kevin E Kemarly TK-3290 ***Stormtrooper
Mark C Berry BH4265 ***Boba Fett
James Noland IC7696 *** Blackhole Stealth trooper
Lisa Schneider TB4806 *** Biker Scout
Sarah Summers ID7929 *** Juno Eclipse
Rick E Devine TK6712 ***Stormtrooper
Steve Szyndrowski ID3052 *** Imperial Officer
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Dani Lehman*** ATOC Padme
Kent Heath *** Imperial pizza delivery guy (thanks again Kent)
Belinda Berry *** handler
Rob Schneider***Imperial photographer / handler
Robin Benecke***Imperial photographer / handler
Nicole Wilcox***Imperial Photographer / handler
Anna Summers*** Imperial Photographer / handler
Liz Noland***Imperial Photographer / handler
The McLean County Relay committee asked us to participate next year & I took care of the registration fee for next year’s Relay. Hope to see you there.
Thanks to everyone who donated to our team as well as those who came out.
This years theme was “Purple Hands Rock’n McLean County”
Message from the local organizers
Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!
Thank you to all our participants and volunteers who came out to Relay and made McLean County Relay For Life # 1 in the State of Illinois!! We had a fantastic committee that put this event together with us, but it was all of you that make it special. It was seeing the faces of the kids with their tattoos as they walked around the track, the survivors and caregivers that pretty much took up the whole track, those early risers doing Zumba in the end zone and the storm troopers dancing on stage with the band. All of you coming out and giving your time for those 24 hours to make the world a better place, with less cancer and more birthdays, is what makes our Relay the truly special event it is. We look forward to seeing all of you again next year.
Fran and Dede
WJBC local radio station youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-0vV8yHsGc
Front page article & photo from Pantagraph (Local newspaper)
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/ar ... 002e0.html
Illinois State University News Channel 10
http://tv10.illinoisstate.edu/wp/2011/0 ... or-cancer/
Top 20 Individuals
1. Henry Bruens $7,100.00
2. Rob Moser $7,100.00
3. Michael Moser $5,500.00
4. Madison Moser $5,500.00
5. Nancy Pate $5,479.87
6. Brian O'Neill $5,462.00
7. Ann Gullixon $4,008.00
8. Sherri Hester $3,346.00
9 Lisa Shaffer $3,266.00
10. Jason Moser $3,010.00
11. Sharon Kocher $2,961.00
12. Cora Parrish $2,584.55
13. Sally Gulley $2,080.00
14. Fran Massie $2,001.35
15. Barry Benecke $1,951.61 MWG
16. Kim Feger $1,889.00
17. Susie Bornder $1,850.00
18. Lisa Schneider $1,825.16 MWG
19. Becky Kranz $1,822.00
20. Karen Shepherd $1,725.00
WAY TO GO TEAM!! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT 2012 RELAY