PORT TOWNSEND — For the third year in a row, the Jefferson County Relay for Life has exceeded its fund-raising goal for the American Cancer Society.
“The last count was $100,520,” said co-chair Deborah Raney. “It was more successful than we ever thought it would be.”
Organizers hoped to raise $75,000 this year through the event, during which people walk the track at Blue Heron Middle School for 24 hours.
This year, 28 teams from local churches, banks, government and businesses fielded a total of 520 participants, she said.
“It was such an incredible event,” Raney said. “The whole community pitches in.”
The Edensaw Woodchucks were the top money raisers — $37,000 — and the WaMu Survivors from Washington Mutual were second with more than $11,000, Raney said.
Curves, a new team, came in third. Its members added color to the event in their bright green T-shirts and feathered masks, carrying out a Mardi Gras theme.
“A lot of them stayed for the whole event,” Raney said. “They cheered each other on, they cheered everyone on.”