“To Tell the Truth” this year’s Covington County game show-themed Relay for Life event raised $103,453.68.
And while the total was a bit shy of the group’s original $117,000 goal, chairperson Ressie Gray said the “Wheel of Fortune” stopped on a pretty big payout to help fight cancer.
“I think with the economy the way it is and all that is taking place, we had a great turnout,” Gray said. “Many survivors said that we, ‘the committee,’ out did ourselves this year and that they enjoyed the event.
“We had many participants and supporters, and we could always use more, but I think that will come in time,” she said. “Relay is a growing event, and we hope to help Relay for Life of Covington County to grow more and more each year.”
In 2009, nearly $100,000 was raised  at the annual event.
This year, 20 teams worked at events such as raffles, bake sales, plant sales and even going so far as to send friends to jail to help raise money. Those sponsoring teams were Andalusia Manor, Andalusia Dental Group, Andalusia Elementary School, Andalusia Middle School, Andalusia High School, Andalusia Junior Women’s Club, Andalusia Regional Hospital, Andalusia Wal-Mart, CenturyLink, the city of Andalusia, Covington Electric Cooperative, the family of Joey Merrill, Maurice’s, Mizell Memorial Hospital and the city of Opp, Regions Bank, Southeast Alabama Gas District, South Central Agency and friends, the Southern Bells, Straughn High School and Superior Bank.
“Really, without their help and the help of everyone involved, everyone who purchased a chance on something, who bought a baked good or who just handed over a dollar, this would not have been possible,” Gray said.
“We can’t say thank you enough.”