DEMOPOLIS &8212; The annual Marengo County Relay for Life will conclude its yearly drive for 2007 this weekend as the Relay commences at the Demopolis City Landing.

The drive to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, is taken pretty seriously by participants from the county said the community representative of the area Larry St. John. Last year the group surpassed its goal of $62,000 by almost $500, raising $62,405.16, and this year it is shooting for $63,950.

The group raises money both through group efforts, lead by a team leader, and individual efforts to go out into the community and solicit donations to the cause. One such individual fund-raiser, Tommy Vice, is raising the bar for all of those participating in the county&8217;s Relay by once again shooting to receive the coveted title as the highest individual fund-raiser for the event.

Since that time in 2002, Vice&8217;s involvement has been substantial.

He was last year&8217;s top individual fund-raiser for Relay for Life and is shooting to retain his title this year, setting an early goal of raising $2,000 for the campaign.

When the totals are turned in at the end of the day today, Vice will have surpassed his goal with a total of $2,053.68 raised since the beginning of this year&8217;s drive in January. Of, course St. John, who has just taken on his role with the organization as coordinator early this year, doesn&8217;t seemed surprised by Vice&8217;s fundraising abilities.

Vice said he enjoys working towards a goal, especially when that goal helps others. He said as long as he is bale to go out and do it, he will be a part of the fund raising efforts of the Marengo County Relay for Life.