The “Men in Pink” team of the Pike County Relay for Life were honored Monday at the relay’s kickoff party.

The 20 men who participated in the October fundraising campaign have already raised $27,367, with more checks still being counted.

The board recognized SARHA CEO John Little for raising the most money over the month, bringing in $5,782. Little was quick to comment that he didn’t do it alone.

“I had two girls hold a lemonade stand and they raised $900 by themselves,” Little said. He also credited Kady Pugh, director of community relations at SARHA, as his “campaign manager.”

The strong campaign puts the Pike County Relay for Life almost $10,000 ahead of where they were at last year.

The relay raised a total of $135,000 last year for the American Cancer Society after setting a $110,000 goal. This year, the board upped the ante with a goal of $145,000.

“You always want to set a higher goal than what you reached last year,” said relay co-chair Deedie Carter. “I do foresee us doing much over that. Pike County really pulls together.”

Mayor Jason Reeves, one of the Men in Pink, echoed that gratitude to the community for their support.

“It’s always amazing to see how kind and generous the people of Pike County are,” Reeves said.

Carter also announced this year’s relay theme: “Rocking and relaying Through the Years.”

Carter said that they chose to deviate from the national theme this year and created this theme to celebrate the efforts to fight cancer while still memorializing lost loved ones and honoring survivors. The culminating event, a community concert with music from throughout the years, will be held at the Troy Sportsplex on May 5, 2017.