Volunteers make the world go round, and also run smoothly. Among the many volunteers helping out at the annual Staples Relay for Life event were Karen Anderson, left, in back; Barb Peterson and Marge Evans. (Staples World photo by Kelley Kossan) Despite clouds and rain showers on Friday evening, many people came out to the Staples Elementary School to walk for a cause.

Due to threatening weather, the activities were moved from the high school track inside to the school gym, but young and old alike worked together to make this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life a successful event, despite the weather.

Although the official numbers haven’t come in yet, the Relay Committee knows that close to $25,000 was raised, with money still coming in. “I thought things

went really well for being indoors,” said

Wendy Holub, chair of the Staples event, “We lost the effect of the luminaries, but

Mike Ziegler celebrated as he was announced the winner of the first ever Mr. Relay pageant. He even got dressed up for the occasion. (Staples World photo by Kelley Kossan) overall we had a lot of fun and a good turnout.”

Ten teams registered, some with five or six people, others with so many people there was no count taken.

Donna Nadeau’s family and friends, along with the Fritz Hoemberg families, were named Honorary Torch Bearers for the 13th annual Staples Relay for Life. They introduced their family members and also walked the circle of hallways.

Donna Nadeau was also the inspirational speaker this year, taking her theme as “Sharing the Heart of Cancer.” She recently finished treatments for a brain tumor and is back at work at the local dialysis unit. Her emotional story brought many tears, but was also a story of hope.

Hundreds of luminaries lined the halls at Staples Elementary School, in memory of those lost to cancer, and in honor of those still battling and surviving the disease. The luminaries were taped to the lockers and walls around the circle of hallways. The walk without the lighted torches (which normally surround the high school track) took away some of the ambiance of the memorial ceremony, but still gave hope to those now in the midst of their journey with cancer.

Many people stayed all night to walk in honor and/ or in memory of family and friends. Along with the entertainment from Orvs Avenue (Erik Nelson, Andrew Nelson and Logan Swendsrud) and Katie Ziegler, booths from the different teams and a barbecue dinner, there was also both a silent and live auction to raise funds for the fight against cancer. The live auction raised $2,125 and the silent auction netted $489. As of press time, the total raised by the auctions, games, pledges and other fund raisers had come to $23,300, according to Barb Peterson, one of the committee members.

New this year was a “Mr. Relay” pageant. Eight handsome young men participated in their own beauty pageant and Michael Ziegler was voted “2010-2011 Mr. Relay” by the crowd. Each of the contestants paid for a bag of women’s clothing for them. They then had to model their

attire. Audience applause then determined the winner.

“I think we’ll be doing Mr. Relay again,” Wendy said. “The people seemed to like it, and I think it lightened

things up. The guys did a great job, I can’t believe that all those guys were willing to do it!”

Although the Relay for Life has been going on for 26 years, and the Staples event is in its 15th, many people don’t know about it. Six years ago Wendy was diagnosed with cancer, and during that time heard about the relay from a friend.

“I’d never heard of it before then,” she said. That year she and her family formed a team to participate, and they’ve walked ever since. Three years ago, she took over the chair position, and has enjoyed it but is looking for someone to take over this year.

“I’ve had fun doing it, but I honestly think you need new ideas to keep it fresh.”

The Staples 2010 Relay for Life Committee included Wendy Eblen Holub, Stacie Swecker, Bonnie Thoele, Nicole Weller, Carol Eblen, Nancy Eblen, Kathy Corner, Barb Peterson, Lou Alexander, Dan Owens, Donna Nadeau, Katie Ziegler and Shelby Wilds.