craigdailypress.com

Craig — Simply put, it's quite amazing, Elisa Hayes said.

"We're almost there," said Hayes, who co-chaired the 2008 Craig Relay for Life planning committee.

Relay organizers have almost hit their ultimate goal for this year's event - to have enough money to contribute $100,000 in net donations to the American Cancer Society for cancer cure research.

The committee had a goal of $65,000, which was passed before the Relay happened July 18 and 19. The second goal of $100,000 was an effort to challenge the community and honor Craig's centennial.

A percentage of each Relay donation goes back to the Cancer Society to reimburse the organization for purchases it made to help the event go forward.

After the Relay in July, organizers said they had about $101,000 in donations. Residents have continued their support since then, pushing the current tally to 104,337.

Because the committee owes about 5.2 percent of its donations to the Cancer Society for reimbursements, organizers need about $105,245 in donations to hit their $100,000 net mark.

Which puts them about $908 short.

But, there still are checks to open sitting on her desk and donations seems to running in pretty consistently, Hayes added.

"If everybody does a little bit, we can get there," she said.

The committee has opened a contest for the missing amount, as well. The person or the Relay team that submits the last amount of money that puts the donation total past the goal will receive a free night's stay at the Holiday Inn of Craig and a $50 dinner voucher for the Paradise Grill and Cassidy's Lounge.

If an entire team submits the missing amount, the dinner voucher will be doubled to $100, Hayes said.

Donations for the 2008 Relay can be collected through August 31. Donations after that will go toward the 2009 Relay.

All donations should be given to Tonya Griffiths at Moffat County National Bank, 435 Mack Lane, or to any Relay team captain.

Although the 2008 Relay was an important success, Hayes said she has no doubt that Relays in the future will live up to this year's accomplishment.

"We're a community impacted by friends and family that are fighting the battle," she said. "When you find it in your face like that, it's easy to summon the energy to fight harder."

Hayes speaks from personal knowledge.

"I shouldn't have had to bury my 34-year-old sister," she said. "My sister was my best friend. If there is something I can do to fight harder to make sure no one else loses a loved one, that's what I'm going to do."

Hayes added she is moved by the community around her.

"Everybody on the planning committee is so gratified to see all the hard work teams did," she said. "They've worked for months and months to see this through. They've worked extra hard to (reach our $100,000 goal and) honor, what we feel, is the history of Craig, the history of this community to work together."