“Mind-blowing.”

That’s how Saturday’s Cancer Freeze fundraiser was described by organizer Caleb Davidson after he revealed that $51,000 was raised in one-day to benefit nine people.

Davidson established the event in 2007 in memory of family and friends who passed away from cancer. Proceeds from the day’s events, which included a 5K, water events an auction and more, will be split among nine beneficiaries from the area.

“It’s a God thing, and I give all the credit to Him,” Davidson said. “I can’t explain to everyone how humbling it was to see such an overwhelming response from everyone. It was a record-breaking day all the way around.”
Davidson then began to chronicle them, starting with the 5K.

“There were 436 participated in the 5K,” he said. “That’s up from 238 last year and the 253 we had the first year.

“Then, our auction was phenomenal,” he said. “We had one painting to go for $1,000 – one painting. People opened their wallets because they knew that it was going to a good cause, and we can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.”

Davison said balloon sales raised more than $1,000, and that food vendors, as well as some local restaurants, ran out of food because of the crowd.

“What does that tell you about the day?” he said. “Last year, we raised $37,000 on that Saturday, and in total, were able to give away $50,000. On Saturday, we raised $51,000 and the money keeps coming in. We won’t know an official total until the end of the month.

“When you think about it, $51,000 in a single day, that’s mind-blowing,” he said.

A LifeSouth blood and platelet drive broke last year’s record by 2:30 that afternoon, Davidson said.

Plans are already under way for next year’s event, too.

“We rest a day, then we’re back at it,” Davidson said. “We’re going to keep all the standard stuff, and see what else we can come up with.”

Crowds at Lake Jackson were thick throughout the day, including lines to “shave your lid for a kid,” where for a $10 donation participants could shave their heads.