NATCHEZ — Relay for Life organizers raised a substantial amount of money this year that will go on to support cancer research.

Friday’s 2015 Relay for Life event at the Concordia Recreational District 3 Complex raised approximately $35,000, bringing the total raised this year to $136,000.

Relay co-chair Janis Holder said Relay is hoping to raise another $40,000, which will be accumulated from teams who have yet to turn in money and individuals who are expected to donate.

“The Markets will also have at least three more steak grills,” Holder said. “These teams have been working hard, some of them have been working all year.”

The Miss-Lou Relay for Life is ranked among the top 10 national relay events, raising more than $3 million since its inception in 1996.

The Relay raised $203,000 last year, but despite increases or decreases in money raised for the event, Holder said the Relay finds success every year.

“Every Relay we have is successful,” she said. “Even if we get just $1 — that’s $1 more that could help find a cure for cancer.”

The Relay is all about supporting cancer research and spreading awareness, Holder said.

Thirty-five teams participated in the Relay this year — some taking home awards given by event organizers for their creativity, passion and motivation to contribute to the annual event.

The Relay for Life 2015 awards are:

Best Tent Site

-First place: Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office

-Second place: Team Metro Ambulance

-Third place: The Fruit Guys – Fruit of the Loom

Best T-shirt

-First place: Team Monica’s Hope

-Second place: Carry On

-Third place: Team UMB

Best Spirit

-First place: Team Vidalia Police Department

-Second place: Team Natchez Walmart

-Third place: Ferriday Merchants

Best Banner

-First place: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

-Second place: Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church

-Third place: Team Educators

Best Baton

-First place: Delta Bank

-Second place: Team Natchez Walmart

-Third place: Pirates of the CUREibbean

Theme La—Power of Purple

-First place: Concordia Bank & Trust

-Second place: First Baptist Church of Vidalia

-Third place: Team F.R.O.G.

Midnight Snack

-First place: Concordia Bank & Trust

-Second place: Team F.R.O.G.

-Third place: Ferriday Merchants

Luminary Bag

-First place: Team Co-Lin

-Second place: Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church

-Third place: Zeta Phi Beta Sigma

Most Money Raised By Team

-First place: The Markets — $23,603.97

-Second place: First Baptist Church of Vidalia — $10,585.55

-Third place: Team Natchez Walmart — $8,558.81

Most Money Raised By Individual

-Monelle Mosely of First Baptist Church of Vidalia — $4,465.

 

Linda Foster and Jan Simpson served as the event’s judges. Most money raised and most money raised by an individual was not judged.