Relay finished in Clovis

CLOVIS — The final walkers in Clovis’ annual Relay for Life finished the legs of their relay at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.

Co-chairwoman Kay Prater said Sunday the walkers raised a total of $59,499.77, although on-line contributions and all the money from sponsors were not yet in.

“The relay went very, very smoothly this year due to all the hard work from committee chairs and all the people who came out to support it,” Prater said.

Cathy Hess, co-chairwoman of the Relay, estimated more than 500 people showed at the event, and she expects the total amount raised to increase by about $6,000 after on-line and late contributions are tallied in a few weeks.

The “Lifesavers” team from Plains Regional Medical Center raised the most money, at $5,370.50. The “Celebrate Life” team from Eastern New Mexico Rehabilitative Services for the Handicapped (ENMRSH) placed second, with $5,211.02, and the team from Community Homecare placed third, with $5,000.

Monte Graham, chairman of the Ride for Life, in which riders follow a trail around Ned Houk Park to raise money for cancer, said there were 84 individual riders this year, who raised $8,015.

In other Relay for Life awards:

Best Campsite: First prize went to “Charlie’s Angels,” and honorable mention went to “Western Crusaders.”

Best Banner: First prize went to Cannon Air Force Base Super Services team and honorable mention went to Cannon’s ARM Shop team.

Most Spirited: First prize went to “Jordan’s Train of Friends,” Curry County’s team, and honorable mention went to “Relay for Riley,” Cannon’s dental team.

This year’s “Early Bird” award, given to the team that signs up to participate the earliest, went to “Los Ninos,” a group that signed up and paid commitment fees at the 2003 event. This year, “Early Bird” team is “Moonlight Amigos.” The team signed up and paid for next year at this year’s event.

Donations for “Relay for Life,” can still be made by calling 762-5112, or at http://www.cancer.org/relayonline.