Kearney County Relay For Life At Outdoor Classroom

The Kearney County Relay For Life will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 3, and end at 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 4.
This event is open to the community and guests do not need to be registered to come and enjoy the fun and games overnight. The relay starts with a celebratory Survivor’s Lap at 6:00 followed by a meal and live auction and a Luminaria Ceremony at dark.  The live auction is planned for 7:30 p.m. with over 50 items donated. The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to honor those who have battled or are battling cancer as well as remember those lost to cancer.  
Food and games will be provided during the duration of the relay with “fun things to do for kids and adults” according to Pat Miller.
According to Community Manager with the American Cancer Society and the staff partner for the Relay For Life of Kearney County Brittany Reiser, in 2011, the Relay had 157 registered participants as of Thursday, July 26, and had raised over $21,000.  
“This year, we currently have 211 registered participants and have raised over $28,000 with the event continuing to grow,” she said.
There are nine teams scheduled to participate, with “The A Team” leading the fundraising at $9,835. The teams are expected to have at least one member on the track at all times during the 24-hour race.
The money raised will go to fund researchers, provide education, as well as provide free programs and services to cancer patients and their families that Kearney County residents can utilize.
“I am thrilled for this event and the successes they are having this year,” Reiser said,  “The committee has been working all year to plan a fun community event and the teams have been great fundraisers.”
The event committee for the 2012 Relay For Life includes Event Chair Toni Bockerman, Sponsorship and Food Coordinator Joyce Merritt, Survivors Chair Pat Miller, Luminaria Chair Marilyn Kenton, Planning Coordinators Bill and Sherry Huenemann, and Games and Entertainment Coordinator Linda Gerih.
In addition to the money raised by the registered teams, the relay has raised $5,525 from corporate sponsors and $1,450.33 from the Crush It For Cancer event at Minden High School.