Hundreds of volunteers for the American Cancer Society, including local business owners, sports teams, families and fraternal groups, came out on Saturday night at Juniper Park in Middle Village to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

Leslie Orlovski, coordinator of the event, said that the Middle Village relay is particularly successful because there is so much harmony between the participants and the neighbors.

"We are quite fortunate to have so many passionate participants walking around the track all night long," she said.

"And most of the participants are from right in the neighborhood," added Walter Sanchez, honorary chairman of the event. "It's a night out in the park where we get together for something good."

David Daraio, from Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, spoke as the event got underway late Saturday afternoon.

"The bank is quite proud to be a driving force behind this event," he said. Maspeth Federal had nearly 60 friends, employees and families participating in the overnight event.

In all, there were over 50 teams of 12 or more people raising more than $100,000. One person from each team had to walk the track at any one time throughout the night. The Relay ended at 7 a.m. Sunday morning.

The American Cancer Society wished to give special thanks to generous sponsors: Maspeth Federal Savings, George Ries - Sr. Vice President & David Daraio - Assistant Vice President; Penmark Realty, Mr. Bernard Friedman; Glendale Kiwanis, Mr. Fred Haller; Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Dr. Vijay Mattoo; Director-Hematology/Oncology; The Queens Ledger Weekly Newspapers, Walter H. Sanchez; Killarney's Cottage, Jason & AI; Lasting Impressions Entertainment, DJ; Ridgewood Moose Lodge #1642. Thanks also to: Amish Market (Shops at Atlas Mall); Arby's; Bauer's Bake Shop; John Benitez of California Pizza Kitchen; Jim Bolan (NYFD Engine 211); Chris Cielepak Construction; Community Board 5; CupcakeStop (NYC 1st Mobile Gourmet Cupcake Shop); Curves of Middle Village; Domino's Pizza; East Meets West; Ferrara's Lumber (Maspeth); Glendale Lumber; Grand Florist; Juniper Park Civic Association; Maspeth Town Hall Community Center; McDonald's (Metropolitan Ave); Middle Village Volunteer Ambulance Corps; NYC Department of Parks & Recreation; NY and NJ Sports Teams; NYPD 104th Precinct; Our Lady of Hope; Panera Bread; J & C Platz Hardware; Royal Collectibles; Schwalbach Building Supply; St. Matthias; and Starbucks (Shops at Atlas Park).