"This was a fantastic year: our final figure for money raised was $177,000. Can you believe it?"

Donna Henke, arch-organizer of Pine Bush's Relay for Life, sounds just a bit amazed by the success of this year's Relay for Life event.

"We did $164,000 last year, and with the economy and everything we were just hoping to at least hit $154, 000 this time, but to go that much farther was, well, awesome."

Indeed, and the event itself, back in June, combined the atmosphere of a rock festival with a local pride that showed in so many ways as the Town of Crawford community came out and made a difference in the fight against cancer.

This year, the top fundraising teams were Pine Bush Equipment and Sneakers to Boots. But it was also the best year ever for the high school.

"You see so much negative comment about kids today," says Henke with a sigh. "But we saw our kids really get behind the Relay for Life in a very positive manner. The Pine Bush High School National Honor Society team raised more than $6,000 this year."

But, kids of all ages went the extra mile this year.

Carly Velez, 8 years old, sold purple beaded necklaces and put her money in a glass jar, and when it was full, she turned it in to Henke.

"She was so happy," says Henke. "When she came over to me with that money, she was just beaming."

10-year-old twins Sarah and McKenzie Kessler made purple relay emblem pins and turned in $100 the night of the relay. Their father Carl Kessler is a one-year cancer survivor.

Cody Gross, 8 years old, ran in the pedometer challenge.

"He actually ran all night, until about 5 AM," says Henke. "Then his little legs just couldn't go anymore. He got talking about his grandmother, Beverly, who died of cancer, and how much he missed her. He took third place, which was incredible. But when they went to give him his trophy, he was sound asleep!"

Then there was Jacob Barkman, a middle school student who raised more than $400 on the night of the relay by agreeing to have his long hair shaved off. He raised the money, and so he had his hair cut off in the middle of the track in front of a cheering crowd of kids.

"He was my town crier that night," says Henke. "He was walking around with the megaphone, passing on announcements to people who couldn't hear the DJ. Jacob's been top-fundraiser for the Crispell Crusaders, but now he's moving on to the high school. Aaron Hopmeyer already wants him for his team."

Turning to next year, Mrs. Henke is already making plans.

"We are looking for new committee members, and there will be a thank you breakfast for all the relay captains, sponsors, cancer survivors and committee members at the Pine Bush Firehouse, beginning at 9 a.m. on November 22. In January, next year, we'll be having the first committee meetings."

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