Thanks to the efforts of Atmore Area residents the 2013 Relay for Life event, held Friday night and Saturday morning at Tom Byrne Park, will make a big difference in the lives of men and women fighting cancer.

According to Relay officials, the year’s event netted a total of $56,946. Relay Director Gayle Johnson said that money includes the $10,000 raised at this year’s Celebrity Waiter event, sponsored by First National Bank and Trust, as well as the $27,000 generated by Wind Creek’s Think Pink campaign. Johnson said the event was a huge success.

“We had a great night,” Johnson said. “We had seven tents and everyone had a good time. It was a very good event this year.”

The 11 teams making the laps at the park this year used everything from team songs to a Best Campsite event to keep up their spirits throughout the night.

Team and individual awards for this year include: Best Cancer Facts, Atmore Community Hospital; Best Team Song, Walgreen’s/VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; Best Spirit Stick, Walgreen’s/VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; Best Campsite, United Bank; Best On-line Fundraiser Team, Walgreen’s/VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; Best On-line Fundraiser Individual, Pam Martin; Volunteer of the Year, Samantha Bennett; Cupcake Wars winner, Atmore Community Hospital; Spirit Award, Walgreen’s/VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; Golden Pillowcase Award, Walgreen’s/VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; Top Fundraising Teams (at event), United Bank, Atmore Community Hospital, Johnson Ford.

Prior to this year’s main event, Relay for Life held a special Survivors’ Reception at First United Methodist Church, where Johnson said 45 people attended to honor those who have beaten or are currently fighting cancer.

“We had a great turnout,” she said.

Johnson said Relay owes a special thanks to title sponsor, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; new teams for this year’s event, Johnson Ford, Atmore Family Dentistry, The Meadows, Wrangler’s Steakhouse and VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary; returning teams, Atmore Community Hospital, Atmore News, First National Bank and Trust, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, United Bank and Walgreen’s; guest speakers, Atmore Mayor Jim Staff and Tribal Council Chairman Buford L. Rolin; Alan Harp; Amy Murph; Mallory Young; committee members Chris Brown, Kim Smith, Elaine Rodgers, Julie Ray, Sherry Digmon, Myrna Monroe, Cindy Lee.