By Lori EhdeNearly a whole year of hard work and fund-raising efforts are about to pay off this weekend during the fourth annual Rock County Relay for Life.So far, 22 teams of nearly 400 individuals have raised more than $40,000 for the American Cancer Society."We have an awesome community," said Glenda Schomacker, who’s co-chairing this year’s event with Nancy Kaczrowski.The goal again this year was $35,000 and local teams again surpassed that goal prior to the event."The stretch goal is now $45,000," said Schomacker, a cancer survivor who served as the honorary chairman during last year’s event.Luverne’s Vivian Holst heads up the registrations and treasurer duties for Rock County’s Relay for Life. "I know we’ll reach that stretch goal," she said. "We have very generous people in this area. It’s absolutely fabulous."In 2001, the community raised $51,750, an unheard first-time effort for a community starting Relay for Life.In 2002, the local event raised $44,128, and last year volunteers raised a whopping $57,763 for the Cancer Society.Relay for Life is the trademark fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. The annual event involves teams of runners and walkers competing against each other to raise the most money.Teams of individuals representing corporations, hospitals, neighborhoods and families take turns on the track through the night with at least one team member on the track at a time.The first two Rock County Relays were held on Luverne High School track and field, but last year and again this year, it will be in Luverne City Park.It starts Friday night with a 5:30 supper for a free-will donation, and the official Relay kicks off with a Survivor Walk at 7 p.m.The Relay for Life is now held nationwide, and thousands of people participate each year to help fight cancer.The event is most noted for its luminaries that glow in memory of individuals who have died from cancer or in honor of those who have survived cancer.While the Relay and luminaries are the focal point of the event, the field will be filled with local entertainment, food booths and planned activities.Many of the activities and booths offer additional opportunities for participants to raise money.For example, this year, each participating team put together a basket of items that are displayed in the Pizza Ranch window. Those baskets will be sold in a silent auction, with bids taken until the luminary lighting at dusk.The event wraps up at sunrise Saturday with a 5:45 a.m. closing ceremony and light breakfast.New this year, area churches are sponsoring a Father’s Day breakfast at Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center, Luverne. Brunch, including eggs, pancakes, sausage, ham, rolls, fresh fruit, milk, juice and coffee, will be served from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.Proceeds will be donated to Rock County Relay for Life.
