DEMOPOLIS- After last month’s Relay for Life events were spoiled by rain festivities were finally wrapped up in a ceremony at the Demopolis Civic Center. The 2005 Demopolis effort raised a total of $56,125.54 for the year making it a huge success.

Altogether teams earned $51,380.54, $4,258 in sponsorship cash was raised, $350 in luminary funds and $145 in miscellaneous funds.

Cindy Hansard, Chairman of the Marengo County Relay for Life, said she appreciated the efforts of everyone who helped out this year.

“We just want to thank everyone who helped with this,” Hansard said. “You all did an outstanding job and we can’t thank you enough.”

Hansard said participation was at an all-time high and that made all the difference.

“We appreciate all the team that participated this year,” Hansard said. “Our committee and everyone have been wonderful. They all did an excellent job and we couldn’t have done it without you. You all did an outstanding job.”

Alicia King, the representative for Relay from the American Cancer Society said she was thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with the Marengo County teams.

“I was very proud to be involved with this event,” King said. “Of the six teams I worked with Marengo County was the highest fund raiser. I am very proud of all that you have done to make our Relay a success.”

This years top five earners were the Linden Quest Club with $14,407.98, Gulf States Paper Corp. with $9,866.92, Robertson Banking Company with $5,300, One Stop Building Supply with $3,665.54 and the Greene County Steam Plant with $1,945.

Tommy Vice was the individual winner with over $2,000 raised.

The Relay Committee handed out other awards as well. Foster Farms took home the award for Best Camp Site, while Curves won the Team Spirit Award.

The sponsor, Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, was also given a plaque for their contributions to the event.

Of the new participants, One Stop Building Supply was also the top earner.

Both King and Hansard encouraged the teams to begin planning for next years event to make it even more successful.