Wise Co. top money raiser in annual Relay For Life

The 11th annual Clay County Relay For Life raised over $35,000 for the fight against cancer. Held Saturday at Heritage Park in Piggott, the event featured a number of teams which competed to raise the most funds.

The winning team, with over $11,000 raised, was from the Wise Company.

A good crowd gathered for the annual fundraiser Saturday morning and prior to the start of the survivor's walk the participants and their families were treated to breakfast compliments of Piggott State Bank.

Jim Poole then called out the names of the survivors as they gathered on the walking track for the symbolic first lap, led by honored survivors Nancy and Tommy Hardcastle. Afterward the teams began the day-long relay and manned booths with a variety of fundraising efforts.

Throughout the day the teams enjoyed sunny, but somewhat windy, conditions as they completed lap after lap around the Heritage Park track.

Taking top individual honors were Andrea Brown for most laps walked by a female youth, Heather Seegraves for most laps walked by an adult female, Will Whaley for most laps walked by a male youth and Shawn Parker for most laps walked by an adult male.

They were recognized that evening prior to the luminary ceremony, along with the team awards. Best site award went to Wise Company, while Aerial Bouquet took second and Piggott Schools came in third.

Again the top fundraising team was the Wise Company with $11,161.50, while the WRECK team from Rector placed second with a total of $4,846 and the L.A. Darling team finished third with a total of $2,847.

"We sure appreciate all the teams, all the volunteers and everyone who came out," Relay chair Susie Bowman noted.

The day's activities drew to a close with the luminary ceremony, and comments from the honored survivors and special guests.