Banks go the extra mile to generate Relay dollars

(File Photo) Dean Jacobsen (yellow) and other employees with Northwest Bank prepare to take off on a fundraising bike ride for Relay For Life in 2008. Jacobsen will once again take to the bike, but other staffers are taking on an Iron Man team challenge in 2009.

Friday evening, Cancer survivors, loved ones, friends, assembled teams, and concerned strangers will come together at the Clay County Fairgrounds to walk as one in the name of cancer research. The 25 Years of Hope celebration has been designated 80s Night for all participating in the over 12 hours of scheduled programming.

The dollars raised from the annual event, collected by the various groups and walkers leading up to the event, will serve as Clay County's contribution to war on cancer.

Two local banks continue to collect cash leading up to Friday night's activities. One will put its employees to the test; the others chose a yard decoration to raise additional dollars for the cause.

The Spencer Northwest Bank team has committed to participating in an Iron Man event as a means to raise money for Clay County's Relay for Life. All of the money raised will go to Clay County's Cancer Research Foundation.

According to Dean Jacobsen, president of Spencer's Northwest Bank, "It is our way of making an impact by joining together as a team to help the fight against cancer. Help us reach our team goal of $10,000."

Northwest Bank Spencer employees will participate in an Iron Man race. Together they will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles to complete the total 140.6 miles and complete a full Iron Man event.

In conjunction with the Iron Man, the bank employees are challenging donors to help send Jacobsen on a long bike ride. For every $100 raised Jacobsen, and another rider, will ride one mile. Should Northwest Bank reach its $10,000 goal Jacobsen will ride 100 miles.

(File Photo) Sue Salton shows off Community State Bank's Relay Rally Deer, one of the many fundraising efforts that the local bank has undertaken in 2009 to generate a few extra dollars for cancer research.

For more information or to contribute, go to http://www.bank-northwest.com/ironman.

Community State Bank has opted to go a less physically demanding road, offering instead a lawn decoration named the Relay Rally Deer. The deer, a member of the Community State Bank and Insurance Relay For Life Team, is helping to generate dollars by locating in neighborhood yards around the city.

For $5, homeowners can move the deer to a lawn of their choice. A $10 donation resulted in a Community State Bank Relay team member moving it for the donor.

Each financial institution is hopeful that a last minute push by area donors will help it be able to make a large donation to Relay For Life on Friday night.

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More people than ever before are surviving cancer. If you are a survivor, we invite you to take part in the Clay County Relay For Life Survivors Lap. This is your chance to inspire others and honor the memory of friends and loved ones. Join us for this celebration of life and sign up for the Clay County Relay For Life Survivors Lap starting at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the Clay County Fairgrounds. If you are a survivor and would like to take part in the Survivors Lap, you can register at the Survivors Tent on the day of the event from 5:30-7 p.m. If you are in need of any motorized assistance during the lap, please contact Amy Simpson prior to the event at 580-3833. All survivors receive a free t-shirt and water bottle as well as a free BBQ dinner.

Remember to honor your loved one with a luminaria bag at this year's Clay County Relay For Life. All luminarias purchased will be a part of the Luminaria Ceremony, slated to start at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26 at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Luminaria bags are available for purchase at the following locations: Spencer City Hall, The Farmers Bank, Sisters Cafe, Betty's Furniture and Abben Cancer Center. Contact Marcia Nemmers at 580-7200 or Suzi Harper at 262-5994 for more information.

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2009 Clay County Relay For Life Schedule

Friday, June 26-Saturday, June 27

Clay County Fairgrounds