Noble County Relay For Life surpasses goal

     Relay Walkers surpassed their fundraising goal for this year's Noble County Relay For Life, raising an estimated $37,812, according to event chair Carla Fiandt. That far surpassed this year's goal of $34,000. Carla has decided to step down from the position after this year, and will be replaced in 2014 by Michael White of Ligonier.

     "Hitting their goal before the event was over qualified them as a Nationally Recognized Pacesetter Event for 2013," according to Melissa Stephens, Community Representative for the American Cancer Society.

     More than 300 registered walkers and many other area residents attended this year's 24 hour Relay. The team that raised the most money was "Butterflies From Heaven", sponsored by the Yates family, which raised $3,201.90. Second place went to the Community State Bank team, while the team "Party Crashers" finished third. "The A-Team", featuring members of Albion's Anderson family, came in first at on-site fund raising.

     Barb Yates, from the "Butteflies" team, was the top individual fund raiser this year at $1,872. The best decorated team campsite award was divided between the "Party Crashers" and the "School of Walk" teams, while the "Eliminate Cancer" team won best team spirit award.

     White says work on the 2014 Noble County Relay For Life effort will begin soon. More information can be found on the Relay For Life Facebook page, or its website at:  http://www.relayforlife.org/noblecountyin

The luminary bags at the rear spell out "Hope" -- there were some objects between them and the other side of the field, where Emily took the first photo.