It's often said the heart of a community can be measured by the amount of selfless giving that takes place there. That measurement becomes even more significant when that community is economically distressed.

Such is the case of the Greenville area where citizens, despite being engulfed in the throes of highly publicized job and financial woes in recent months, managed to more than double the expected money raised for the American Cancer Society last weekend at the Greenville Relay For Life.

Diann Kuder, who co-chaired the event with her husband John, said the third annual 24-hour race that was held Friday and Saturday at Greenville High's Crowther Track raised more than $85,000. Original projections were closer to $40,000.

"I don't think the goal was underestimated," said Mrs. Kuder, of 22 Shady Avenue, Greenville. "You just can't predict how many people will step up and make a contribution. I don't really feel that those of us who worked on the committee did anything in particular to make it happen this year, although we provided the venue. It just came from people's hearts."

Mrs. Kuder said 10 teams raised about $12,000 in 2001 and 32 teams brought in about $32,000 last year, so a goal of 40 teams and about $40,000 were considered realistic for this year.

When 56 teams eventually entered, Mrs. Kuder said the committee mentally readjusted its goal to about $50,000. Even Saturday morning, just prior to when the total money raised was scheduled to be announced, Mrs. Kuder thought it might be in the $60,000 to $65,000 range. So she and the others were pleasantly surprised when the $85,000 total was read.

"I was speechless," she said. "I just couldn't believe it. I think none of us could believe it."

As for the unexpected support and growth of the event in such a short time, Mrs. Kuder said she believes people are just becoming more aware that the relay serves as a fund-raising mechanism for the American Cancer Society.

"Everybody is touched by cancer and people feel the need to respond," she said. "If they've lost someone, they really want to help fund research. And if they have a survivor in their family, they really want to help."

As for her motivation to get involved this year as a co-chair, Mrs. Kuder said the cancer society funds research, provides plenty of health-related information, such as educating people on the dangers of smoking, and encourages people to do self-exams.

And, she added, "the cancer society really touches individuals when they're going through cancer and it provides all kinds of services locally."

The event itself is especially emotional and memorable, Mrs. Kuder said, noting a children's choir comprising about a dozen cancer patients from Tod Children's Hospital, Youngstown, were on hand to help open the relay on Friday.

Mrs. Kuder also recognized the large number of people who contributed to help make the event a success, including setting up and running the relay, preparing food, and even setting out luminaries, which this year numbered nearly 600.

"You really have to witness it to understand it," she said. "It's just an incredible thing. ... And when you see 200 cancer survivors walking around the track and then a couple hours later see all the luminaries, it's very emotional."

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Jeff Greenburg at
jgreenburg@sharonherald.com.