Relay collects more than $300,000

After a year of fundraising and 24 hours walking around the Hoquiam High School track, Relay for Life of Grays Harbor raised $304,712 for cancer research.

“It’s not as much as last year, but everyone worked hard and we had a lot of fun,” said event chairwoman Glennis Stamon.

Participants missed their fundraising goal of $350,000 — but Stamon said there’s still a chance they’ll raise the remaining money. The fundraising deadline is Aug. 31, and Harborites generally contribute an additional $30,000 during the summer.

“The money keeps trickling in,” Stamon said. “There’s even more money now than last time I checked the website.”

Last year, participants had hoped to raise $425,000 but fell short and collected $334,630.

This year’s contest for the team that collected the most money was close. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church raised about $40,721, while Team Bob collected about $39,426.

Fred Straughn, of Fred’s Angels, was presented with the “most inspirational person” award. Straughn collected $10,835 — the second-largest total collected by a participant this year. He created the team in honor of his father, Fred Straughn Sr., who died of cancer earlier this year, Stamon said.

The Grays Harbor College Chokers won the “most inspirational team” award, the Grays Harbor Running Club won the “most creative campsite” award, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church earned the “best campsite” award. The Anchor Bank team won the “best luminary” award.

Two more local Relay events are planned for coming weeks. Relay for Life of East Grays Harbor will take place 6 p.m. June 13 through 6 p.m. June 14 and Relay for Life of Willapa Bay will take place from noon July 19 through until noon on June 20.

Top Teams

St. Andrew’s Church: $40,721

Team Bob: $39, 426

ILWU Local 24: $14,318

Will Walk for Busz: $12,424

Fred’s Angels: $12,202

Top Participants

Bob Muhlhauser (Team Bob): $21,494

Fred Straughn (Fred’s Angels): $10,835

Bette Worth (St. Andrew’s Church): $5,632

Bobbi McCracken (St. Andrew’s Church): $3,407

Kristen Draper (Will Walk for Busz): $2,075