The facts and figures from this past weekend’s American Cancer Society are nearly wrapped up, and committee chairman Mary Bartolucci said Tuesday she expects the money raised to hit $152,000.
“That’s $10,000 more than last year, and in this economy…, she said, referring to the economic crunch felt by many residents.
As of Tuesday morning, Bartolucci said volunteers had counted $148,000. That figure includes $2,737 from a team called the Wannabes, a group of frequent St. John visitors who post regularly on the travel forum www.virgin-islands-on-line.com. Bartolucci said one of their members walked for 18 hours in Florida to help raise the money.
While some of the money came from fundraisers at local bars and restaurants, Bartolucci said much of it came in small amounts from mainly St. John residents. Some came from donations made when about 10 St. John residents had their hair cut to be used in wigs for cancer patients who lose their hair during chemotherapy.
Other funding came from luminaries sold in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer, or in hope for those who are battling the disease. Bartolucci said 936 luminarias were sold.
“That’s 250 more than last year,” she added.
About 100 people volunteered to help at the event. Bartolucci said they included teams from St. John’s Gifft Hill School, as well as Antilles School, Sts. Peter and Paul Schoo, and Eudora Kean School on St. Thomas. She said the teens were all St. John residents doing community service. A group of teens from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on St. John also assisted.
Bartolucci sent out thanks to all that helped put on the event.
“Everybody came together,” she said.