Resigning American Cancer Society (ACS) staff partner for Dunklin County, JoBeth Scherer, right, introduces the community's new Relay for Life staff partner Britt Hinklin, left, who will be based in Sikeston, Mo. [Click to enlarge]

The Dunklin County Relay for Life planning committee will host a wrap-up event Tuesday, June 24 in recognition of, yet, another successful fundraising year that netted more than $103,000 toward the charitable cause.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., and First Christian Church in Kennett will serve as the location, where dinner will be provided for guests.

According to American Cancer Society Staff Partner Britt Hinklin, the 2008 Relay for Life of Dunklin County was outstanding and those who played a key role in making it possible deserve to be recognized.

According to Hinklin, that is what Tuesday's event is all about.

The wrap-up affair will also allow those present to make suggestions or exchange ideas on ways to improve next year's Relay.

Hinklin will likely also employ the event as an additional opportunity to deepen his new-found relationships with his committee members.

It was just recently that Hinklin began working with the local committee, following the resignation of former ACS staff partner JoBeth Scherer who left her position with Dunklin County as she made plans on relocating to the state of Mississippi.

Previously, Scherer spent a great deal of time assisting the planning committee of Dunklin County with annual Relay for Life projects.

Prior to leaving her position, Scherer wrote to the members of the committee explaining that it was with great sadness that she was leaving her team of devoted cancer warriors. She also encouraged everyone to continue to fight the fight against cancer.

"I am going to," Scherer said in her letter. "I still very much believe in the mission of the American Cancer Society and what it is striving to accomplish."

During a bitter-sweet time founded by Scherer's leaving, Hinklin has brought the planning committee a new excitement and energy that should serve Dunklin County well.

Hinklin is based at the ACS office in Sikeston, Mo., and can be reached at (573) 471-1873 or by e-mail at britt.hinklin@cancer.org.

Since its inception in Dunklin County, Relay for Life has raised nearly $600,000 which supports cancer research and local cancer patient services and resources.

The Daily Dunklin Democrat has reported on many of the local contributions made over the years toward the fight against cancer.

To see how individuals in the community have shown their support, explore our Web site, and make it simple by typing the keywords: Relay for Life, in the search bar.