The American Cancer Society’s 28th annual Tony Dolan
Ski-for-Cancer Saturday at the Westline Inn was a tremendous
success, meeting the group’s monetary goal and then some.
According to Fran Stewart, the local American Cancer Society’s
income development specialist, Ski-for-Cancer raised at least
$12,000 this year, surpassing their goal of $10,500.
Stewart said there was “a wonderful turnout this year,” adding
the “amount of snow helped out.”
The long-awaited snowfall over the weekend turned out to be a
blessing -ðat least for Ski-for-Cancer. While the event goes on
snow, rain, sleet, hail or no precipitation at all, she said, the
snow is a big draw for the area’s many skiers.
Last year, when participants came out in the rain and 50-degree
weather, Stewart said, the event raised a smaller sum of
$9,200.
Trophies, courtesy of City Beers, were awarded to this year’s
winners, Stewart said. Team Dolan raised $2,208, and the Kane Area
High School teachers’ team took second with $612.
The top individual skier was Kevin Clark of Westline, who raised
$1,650; second place individual was Bob Radzavich of Bradford, who
brought in $505.
This year’s oldest skiier was Marilyn Blackmore of Kane, Stewart
said. The youngest was Clark.
She went on to say the related activities and contests were also
well-attended.
“There has been so much community support,” Stewart said, going
on to say not only individuals, clubs and organizations
participated, but several area businesses also got involved, either
sponsoring the event with money themselves or with gift cards or
items to be sold for charity.
She added the owners and staff at the Westline Inn were
especially pleasant to work with again this year.
Jerry Clark has been key in pulling the event off each year, she
added, explaining he is responsible for the 38 memorial trail signs
– seven of which were new this year. Clark puts up the signs the
day of the event, takes them all down, stores them and then brings
them out again the next year, she said.
“We can’t say enough ‘thank-you’s,'” Stewart said. “This
wouldn’t happen without them,” she said of the events supporters,
volunteers and participants.