NATCHEZ — Despite rainy weather and cold temperatures Friday, the 2013 Miss-Lou Relay for Life raised $191,000.

Relay Accounting Chair Janis Holder said the total is short of the $211,000 raised last year, but said she is pleased with the fundraising efforts.

“We still have teams that have not turned in their money, so it’s possible we could go over $200,000” Holder said.

The top three fundraising teams were the Markets with $29,346, Natchez educators with $14,057 and First Baptist Church of Vidalia with $12,414.

The top three fundraising individuals were Monelle Moseley of First Baptist Church of Vidalia with $5,570, Evelyn Smith of God’s Angelic Warriors with $1,665 and Terri Troxler of Team Jesus.

Holder said Relay started off slow Friday because of the rain, but she said it picked up when the sun started shining.

“Once the rain quit, people started coming out,” she said. “Then by 9 p.m., the crowd tripled. Overall we are very pleased considering the weather.”

Holder said she heard Relay events in other parts of the state were postponed because of the weather.

“It just shows you that the Miss-Lou is die-hard,” she said.

Not only does Relay impact the American Cancer Society through fundraising, the annual event has an impact on the Miss-Lou, Holder said.

“The people who are diagnosed every day, they’re rich; they’re poor; color is not an issue; it affects everybody,” she said. “People are beginning to realize more and more just how important this event is.”

With money not turned in and a few more steak dinners the Markets have planned, Holder said she is optimistic Relay will raise a few thousand more dollars.

Relay for Life donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 1027, Natchez, MS, 39121.

Checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.