The 21 volunteers for the 2010-11 Carry On Campaign pledged to raise $2,100 for the American Cancer Society. When the dust settled, that total was a little different. Well, a lot different. This amazing group raised $9,774 — almost 10 grand! That total helped the 2011 Concert for Life bring in over $41,000 for the ACS, bringing the show’s 11-year total to more than $280,000 and the total for all CFLs to more than $320,000.

How did they do it? Many simply asked friends of theirs - friends who weren’t familiar with the CFL — to donate toward the cause. One of our volunteers sold “requested reviews” on his movie blog website. Several donated proceeds from their side businesses (clothing, crafts, jewelry, candy, etc.). One volunteer ran a Super Bowl “pick ‘em” tournament and I ran an NFL Survivor Pool.

Our youngest volunteer was 13 years old (Marisa) and she also brought in the most money — a staggering $1,745! I couldn’t believe it when she told me. Tim — the movie reviewer — also broke the $1,000 mark with a total of $1,137.

With 21 volunteers, we had slightly more than last year’s 18. Hopefully we’ll have even more in 2011-12! 

In case you’re interested, here’s how the final fundraising totals broke down by volunteer:

Beth Babikan ($110)
Rosemary Babikan ($100)
Eileen Beckman ($120)
Tim Brayton ($1,137)
Dan Calandriello ($150)
Patrice Elacqua ($2,185)
Molly Eldridge ($150)
Corey Fruin ($200)
Mary Henke ($100)
Kathy Humann ($150) 
Melissa Lemke ($112)
Laura Mays ($371)
Kelly Milewski ($570)
Bryan Paull ($249)
Denise and Mandy Pedersen ($650)
Marisa Perry ($1,745)
Phil Van Ermen ($150)
Sue Walker ($100)
Katie Wessel ($775)
Kim Wessel ($260)
Matt Wessel ($440)