A lot of people helped make this year's Relay for Life a success.

I want to express my sincere appreciation for The Press newspapers, who allowed me to write a column once a month for the last two years, which kept our market area informed of what we were doing.

I also thank the Whitehall-Coplay School District, including the school board, Superintendant John W. Corby, Rich Legath, Michele Abraham and the entire maintenance crew who helped provide our location and facilities at the football stadium June 20-21 and for hosting us the last 11 years.

The relay appreciates the new banner Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. allowed us to place across MacArthur Road by the Lehigh Valley Mall. The banner went up with the help of the Whitehall Fire Department and the fire police.

We thank the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce for working on obtaining a rotating billboard on Route 22 the week of the relay.

The banner and billboard were huge advertising pieces for the relay.

Robert Zentz at Fellowship Community has allowed us to hold all our meetings in the Fellowship auditorium for the last four years. I also want to acknowledge all the businesses that also supported the relay both with financial and in-kind donations.

The relay was blessed the last two years to have the Girl Scouts River's Edge Service Unit provide kids' activities, and the Shepherd of The Hills Youth Group, who coordinated the entire Chinese auction.

I also would like to thank all the bands who donated their time and talent for a fantastic entertainment schedule: Steel Drums by JMac Steel, Victoria Lear, Oksama Wittbrodt, Atta Boy Band, Country Rhythm Band, Sunshine Symphony and the Celtic United Pipe Band.

The relay is put together 100 percent by volunteers. Our committee had a great vision for 2014. Please acknowledge these fine folks – accounting: Allen and Phyllis Handwerk and Rose Habab; survivor dinner and ceremony: Gretchen Gray and Bonita Meckes; luminaria ceremony: Adam and CJ Reitz; sales: Karen Motley; hope lodge: Gretchen Grey; logistics: CJ Reitz; mission: Paula Seiler; concession stand: Eugene Bochniak; musical entertainment: Bonita Meckes; daytime activities: Melissa Scott; overnight activities: Vanessa Miller; registration: Sara Gaeta; team recruitment and retention: Doreen Huber; publicity: Melissa Hudak; Bark For Life: Barbara Kessler. I would like to acknowledge our ACS staff partner, Courtney Totten.

We could not have had a great relay without our 36 teams and 266 team members who did countless fundraisers and promoted the mission programs of the American Cancer Society. For a complete list of these dedicated people, please go to relayforlife.org/pawhitehall.

This year's goal was $71,000 net income and we have surpassed that with $80,000 net income and funds still coming in.

For the second straight year, we have surpassed our goals, thanks to everyone's hard work and the public's generosity. Thank you.

I apologize if I have forgotten to mention anyone. There are so many people and businesses that make up our relay. I appreciate you all. Thanks to everyone! I have been blessed to be your relay chair for the last two years.

For more info on how to be involved, please contact me at 610-266-5241 or shari@sharinoctor.com.