Local Relay for Life Raises More Than $320K

"Our legs are tired, but our hearts are full" said Rabbi Stuart Gershon at Gov. Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights for the morning benediction and closing ceremony of the 2013 Relay For Life of Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Mountainside and Summit. 

More than 2,000 people gathered for the annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, which raised more than $320,000.

The Relay For Life Committee, co-chaired by Linda Weber and James Finley, organized the event over the course of nine months with the help of many people in the four towns.  

“After all the planning meetings and worrying about the details, it is wonderful to see so many people gathered together to fight the horrible disease,” Weber said.

While participants in previous years have run an unofficial 5K in conjunction with the Relay for Life, this year’s event model featured the first formal  included a midnight 5K run that attracted more than 60 runners.

In all, more than 114 teams representing Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Mountainside and Summit came out to support the fight against cancer.  teams. Area business did their part too. Some of the event sponsors were:  Overlook Medical Center, Starbucks, Trattoria di Francesca, Delicious Heights, Bake You Crazy, Deena's Delights, Friendly's, Twist With Me 2, Taylor Rental, Peter Traub Roofing and Contracting, Platinum Electrical Service, Rita's Water Ice and A&P Supermarket.  

Support was also provided by Township of Berkeley Heights, Berkeley Heights Fire Department, Berkeley Heights Police Department, Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad, Berkeley Heights Public Schools, Governor Livingston High School.