Night of Hope raises $39,000

Night of Hope's Walk for Cancer raised $38,993.70 for Sidney's cancer patients.

The event Friday attracted more than 250 participants to Legion Park.

Brenda Noel, NOH Foundation president, described the 14th annual event as "great."

"Despite the weather we've had the last week, we had a wonderful turnout," Noel said.

Walk for Cancer had an average, but smaller, turnout compared to previous years, Noel said, having to compete with other events in Sidney.

"We usually get closer to 300 and 350, but with everything else going on 250 is a great number," she said.

The amount raised by the event was "wonderful," Noel said, considering the uncertainties currently being faced by Sidney's citizens.

"With the economy the way it is, and the uncertainty with Cabela's, it's a wonderful amount," she said. "People were still donating items for the silent auction and making donations despite everything else going on."

She added, "The community and businesses were still a great source of support for us."

The event launched Friday with Sidney's Boy Scout Troop Pack 90 reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Abigail Fraas performing the national anthem.

A survivor walk culminated with the releasing of white balloons.

The evening's schedule had to be condensed due to impending inclement weather.

"We did have to speed things up a bit because we had torrential rains hit us at about 8:30," Noel said. "We were able to do the reading of the luminaries, all the raffles, the slideshow, almost completely before the rain hit."

The funds raised at this year's event will benefit Sidney's cancer patients.

Funds are used to help Sidney residents cover expenses while patients receive treatment. Patients don't have to be receiving treatment from Sidney's Dorwart Cancer Care Center to benefit.

"With every little bit we get we can still continue year-by-year to help the cancer patients in our community with their financial expenses," Noel said.

She added, "As long as the community and businesses rise together, we'll be here for years to come."

Noel said her enthusiasm for coordinating Night of Hope's Walk for Cancer only grows.

"Each year I feel more and more passionate about it," she said. "I'm already looking forward to next year."