The Hamilton, Wayne, White County Relay For Life presented the “Kathy Smith Volunteer Award” to Patricia Hodgson, of Carmi, at the Relay Event Celebration on June 1. The award was created in 2015 by the Relay Leadership Team in memory of the late Kathy Smith. It is presented each year to the most dedicated Relay volunteer who embodies what Kathy lived on a daily basis.
Patty Hodgson has been involved in Relay For Life for over 12 years. During that time, she has served as White County Event Chair, is a multi-year Grand Club member, and is captain of Team Hodgson. Under her leadership, Team Hodgson has been the top-fundraising team year after year. In 2023, Patty raised $21,961 as top fundraiser, and Team Hodgson was recognized as the top-fundraising team.
Throughout the years, Patty’s work with Relay has been dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help improve the lives of cancer patients. Team Hodgson sells Cardinal tickets and donates the proceeds to Relay For Life. Upon receiving the award, Patty commented, “Every ticket sold is helping to fight the fight.”
One of the paragraphs in her nomination reads, “Words cannot express the thanks due to Patty for all she has done for Relay For Life by her participation and fundraising in both White and Hamilton Counties. The number of hours, effort, and volunteer dollars she has put into Relay is unequaled.
Past award recipients include Stephanie Smith (2015), Diane Kunkel (2016), Vince Mitchell (2017), Carol Gidcumb Bough (2018), Jennifer Simpson Murphy (2019), Shane Tennyson (2021), Janice Crow (2022), and Tina Mayberry (2023).
