FAIRBURY - Members of the Jefferson County Go Red For Women committee presented a check Tuesday to the American Heart Association.

The check was presented in the lobby of Jefferson Community Health and Life. The committee raised a total of $21,426.04. Jefferson County Go Red For Women co-chair Erin Starr says that total was higher than what they thought they'd raise, and for that, the committee is grateful.

"Our committee is very passionate," she said. "Most of us are all hospital employees. So, the support that JCH&L gives us to do this is huge. Fairbury is such a giving community. They love to have an event that they can go to, dress up and network. From what I know, the people there had a phenomenal time."

The Jefferson County Go Red For Women committee is in its sixth year. In their first, they had raised just over $4,000 for the American Heart Association.

Starr says a large portion of the donations came from the 2020 Celebrity Waiter Go Red for Women Dinner, which was held at the Fairbury Elks Lodge on Feb. 22. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Funds for the American Heart Association were raised through ticket sales from the dinner, live and silent auctions, bake sales and a number of donations from area sponsors.