Relay raises $32K

Montgomery County Relay for Life had raised $32,000 as of mid-day Monday, and was closing on its goal of $36,000.

“We still have some money to be turned in, and we encourage everyone to continue fundraising,” said Susie Mages, of Portsmouth.

Mages is the senior community manager for Relay for Life in the nine-county Southwest Iowa area.

The 2017 Relay for Life event was held in Villisca on Saturday, and hundreds turned out for a wide range of events. There was a three-on-three basketball tournament, a golf tournament, silent auction, kids’ games, painting, mini-manicures, the annual survivors dinner, public meal, a survivors’ walk, a street dance featuring a band, and other activities.

While activities began in the morning, the official opening ceremonies were held at 4 p.m. In the past, the event has centered on people walking as part of a fundraiser, but this year, there was no continuous walk.

The keynote speaker was Denise Gossett, from Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. She described the many ways in which the hospital is fighting for and with cancer patients with new investments and programs.