The Fourth Street Girls, a fun-loving gang who work and socialize at Terri's Hair and The Ginger Jar in Dolores, helped to raise the most money at the recent Relay for Life cancer fundraiser in Cortez.
Shelli Martin, Terri Winbourn, Sandy Lauzon, and Janice Heman, were part of a 20-person team that raised more than $6,000 to help local cancer victims.
"We were motivated by our friend who was recently diagnosed," Lauzon said. "Everybody knows somebody who has fought this disease, so we wanted to help."
The group started their campaign well before last Saturday's event, hosting a Navajo Taco sale that raised $850, putting on a bake sale, and a scratch ticket campaign.
"My daughter Collette took one to the brew pub and raised $194 in one night," Lauzon said. "The generosity of this community is incredible."
At the event, thousands of dollars were raised from ice-cream sales, feathers sold as part of a fashion show, a Karaoke event, dancing competition, walking for donations, and the old fashion stuffing money in a jar.
"What's important is that the money raised stays local to help cancer victims in Montezuma County," said Heman, as she gives a customer a manicure. "A lot of people here can't afford the mammogram and pap test, so this helps them."
The beauticians got their clients on board for the cause, who donated generously and helped spread the word on the friendly competition.
This year's event was a record breaker with 59 teams raising a total of $29,209, 20 percent above the goal. Now the goal is to make it $30,000 by August 22.
"Our goal was to beat Dolores State Bank in the fundraising competition, and we did," said Martin in a friendly jab. "We set the bar high, and next year will do even more."
One of the teams participating this year was the Dolores High School Dance Team.
"This year one of our teammates' family members was diagnosed with leukemia, all of us are affected in some way so it is important to help," said Krystle Hager, a DHS sophomore and dance team member.
To donate or for more information contact Sandi Corbett at (970) 317-4780.