OTC Relay for Life raises over $181,000 for cancer research
News | Published on October 3, 2023 at 3:37pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
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The Otter Tail Relay for Life teams recently celebrated raising $181,170 at Disgruntled Brewing in Perham. The event was held in July in Perham.
The Otter Tail County Relay For Life Committee, team captains and team members gathered Thursday, September 21, at Disgruntled Brewing for a celebration. As the 2023 Relay For Life season ended in late August, the 2023 OTC Relay total climbed to over $181,170, an accomplishment that called for a celebration.
When the Relay Committee began planning for the 2023 Relay For Life in February, they set a fundraising goal of $170,000. Committee members held their breaths as they voted for this amount; it was about $7,000 higher than the total raised in 2022, and it felt like a risky move. Yet, logic would suggest that once one goal is reached, the next goal must be higher. With the goal of $170,000 in front of them, the Relay Committee and Team Captains forged ahead with ambitious fundraising efforts. Generous sponsors in the communities of Perham, New York Mills, Vergas, and other communities helped to boost the total, as well. As of Relay night (July 14), the total was about $138,000, but fundraising at the track on Relay night and donations that trickled in throughout August chipped away at what remained of the $170,000. Then, just as September arrived, a generous donation of $10,000 to the KLN team shot the Relay for Life past their goal and to the exciting total of $181,173.
All 23 teams that participated in the 2023 Relay For Life did amazing work in both promoting the Relay in their communities and raising funds. The top four fundraising teams each brought in well over $15,000 each, and two other teams raised over $12,000 each.
The top fundraising teams included the Mills Dream Team, St. Lawrence Saints, Vergas Looneys, West Central Turkeys, Got Hope and KLN Family Brands.
The Mills Dream Team reached their highest total, and the highest team total in OTC Relay history—over $30,000.
In addition to celebrating the amazing efforts of our Relay For Life teams and the total raised, the group also celebrate that these funds will help the American Cancer Society carry out its important programs in cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services.