One person can make a difference.

But when an entire county works together, it is phenomenal what can be accomplished.

As for this year's Crenshaw County's Relay For Life, which is the American Cancer Society's signature fundraiser, Community Representative Kay Franklin said that it was definitely a success.

&#8220Crenshaw County raised $79, 212 for Relay For Life this year,” Franklin said. &#8220There is no way we can thank everyone who participated in any way for making this year so successful. We appreciate everyone's commitment to this very worthy cause.”

Franklin said that Omni/ South Luverne Baptist Church took home the Highest Team Per Capita Award, The Most Money Raised Award, and The Spirit of Relay Award. The Omni/ SLBC team raised $12,319.43 for the event. According to Franklin, Highland Home School and Luverne School, along with Omni/ South Luverne Baptist Church, all raised over $10,000 each.

Edna Ruth Norsworthy, who is a member of the Omni/ SLBC team, won the Individual Raising the Most in Contributions Award. She raised $2,588.43 for Relay.

&#8220This is such an important event for Crenshaw County, and we appreciate everyone who gave contributions, great or small, for Relay For Life,” Norsworthy said.

Franklin said that she wanted to thank not only the Relay For Life Committee for working so hard to make it a successful year, but she really wanted to thank the people of Crenshaw County &#8220for their hard work in helping with the fight against cancer.”

&#8220It is our goal at the American Cancer Society to eliminate this dreaded disease we call cancer so that no one has to lose someone they love to cancer ever again,” Franklin said.

The committee wanted to give a special thanks to all of the entertainment that was provided for the evening's festivities.

These included Bobby Tomberlin, Jessica Tadlock, Rev. Donnie Burns for the opening prayer, Scott Fowler & Soldiers for the Cross, Brittany King, Stephanie Beverly, Robbie Brown, Faces of Flint, and disc jockey Daryl Elliott.

Franklin said that a special thanks went out to Merrill Sport and the Recreation Department &#8220for allowing us to use their manpower and their facilities.”

Franklin also noted that she and the entire Relay For Life Committee appreciated the hard work of all of the organizations, clubs and schools that also participated.

Kathryn Tomlin, Luminaria Chair, said that everything during the evening went smoothly.

&#8220The candlelight ceremony was wonderful,” Tomlin said. &#8220We had the survivors and some of the family members to read the names during the ceremony, and it was very, very special. It's such a moving experience that I wish everyone could see.”

Franklin and the entire Crenshaw County Relay For Life Committee wanted to recognize and thank all of the Relay teams that worked so hard to raise money for this year's event. The Relay teams include: Annie's/ First United Methodist Church, which raised $3,707; Crenshaw Community Hospital raised $2,161.71; Crenshaw Christian Academy raised $100; Danielsville Baptist Church raised $2,440; First Baptist Church raised $3,953; Fountain of Life raised $1,150; Hick's raised $3,044; Highland Home School raised $10,523.63; Highland Home Post Office raised $510.55; Honoraville Volunteer Fire Dept./ Country One Stop raised $2,090.66; Luverne Schools raised $10,602.49; Petrey Novelties raised $2,075; Omni/South Luverne Baptist Church raised $12,319.43; SMART Plant raised $5,085; and Union Baptist Church raised $2,603.58.

The &#8220Womanless Beauty Pageant” winner for the evening was Matthew Holmes of Luverne Schools, and the cooking contest winner was Luverne Schools.

The Musical Chairs' winner went to the Annie's/ Luverne United Methodist Church team.

Relay For Life is now the world's biggest fundraising event, held at over 4,200 locations in the United States alone. It is an international movement, with events held in not only the U.S., but also in many other areas such as Argentina, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands.