By Staff
I would like to take this opportunity provided to me by The Brewton Standard (Thank you, Michele) to personally thank several people for their generous donations of time and money to the American Cancer Society and our local Relay for Life.
I have asked, begged, and almost harassed several members of our community to join me in the fight against cancer and so many stepped up to the challenge.
Relay's Title Sponsor, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, has given so much money and time this year, and for many years in the past. For that, we should all be grateful. Our Flagship Sponsor, BankTrust of Brewton, has also contributed greatly to our cause. I especially want to thank my boss, Jackson Hines of Hines Realty, who not only gave monetarily as a sponsor, but allowed me the time from work to plan and organize this year's event.
Other sponsors who gave generously include: Smurfit Stone, Jalisco Mexican Restaurante, D.W. McMillan Hospital, Brewton Dance Studio, Evans Carpet Cleaning, and Regions Bank, who not only helped sponsor the event, but hosted and served us at our Bank Night. Subway donated meals for all of our team captains' meetings. Jim Peach Motors and Westgate Village sponsored our third annual NITELITE SCRAMBLE.
I am pleased to say that the Brewton Area YMCA did an outstanding job accommodating everyone and I am grateful for their hospitality. T.R. Miller High School has been wonderful for the past 10 years to have us there, and while the YMCA was wonderful, I did miss T.R. Miller just a little. Thank you, Donnie Rotch, for your hospitality in the past.
Both Country Club of Brewton and Down South Garden Restaurant accommodated us for our Mardi Gras Supper, Bridge Tournament and Fashion Show, and our golf tournament.
Brewton TV gave us free advertising for all of our fundraisers and our event, and graciously allowed me to have "Coffee with the Mayor and Mabry" which gave me the opportunity to inform our community about Relay for Life. Brewton Rotary Club also permitted me the chance to present information.
Church and Faith in Action provided both lunch and dinner for the cancer survivors at the event. Brewton Sportsmen Club provided food for what seemed like everyone one else. Book &Bean served coffee at Relay and Party Crasherz, Brewton's new party suppliers, was more than willing to donate the use of a Moon Walk for the event, but the rain kept us from using it.
Thank you, Mabry Cook, for doing a wonderful job at Relay keeping things flowing. It made the 12 hours fly by!
I would also like to thank the members of our committee: Michelle Walker, Wendy Bass, Haley McCammon, Vance Kilgore, Brenda Kern, Jeff Kirkland, Annette Crenshaw, Ginger Caylor, Jamie Dewberry, Dan Shaddock and Vivian Layton. They did an outstanding job this year and I hope will join me again next year.
Thank you also to all of our team captains and team members who gave so much of their time to our event.
I cannot close without giving thanks to my husband who has done so much to help me and has taken care of our children while I was busy preparing for and attending Relay. I am sure there are others I should mention and if I have forgotten to do so, please forgive me.
This year's Relay for Life was not my success, but our community's. I feel confident saying that we have all participated in, provided for, and supported this event so that not another person will have to suffer from cancer. Thank You Brewton for all your efforts!
Paula Gerety chaired this year's RElay for Life, which raised $55,400 for the American Cancer Society.