Chairperson For Bamberg County Relay for Life, Mollie Jo Brandemuehl, said the event was awesome this year.

"The response from the community was outpouring and I am just overwhelmed at how well the event turned out and we are still collecting money. Right now we have an exceeded our goal of $50,000 and I expect even more," said Brandemuehl.

According to Brandemuehl, there were people from Orangeburg, Bamberg, Lodge, Olar, Cope and Smoaks, participating. "I hope to get a better response from Denmark and Ehrhardt next year, but we received donations from those areas as well."

Lisa Hartzog, South Carolina Regional Development Director for the American Cancer Society, did a great job on organizing and coordinating the event at the last minute. Everything just came together and everyone had a ball.

Brandemuehl said Hartzog was able to motivate and get people involved with her experience and knowledge. People really stepped up to the plate and gave it their all and that is what it takes, everyone doing their part.

"Right now, I am emotional, very excited and looking forward to next year being even better," said Brandemuehl.