MARYSVILLE — Monica “Mo” Olason was recently named a city of Marysville “Volunteer of the Month” for coordinating this year’s Marysville-Tulalip “Relay for Life” for the American Cancer Society.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring named Olason the community’s Volunteer of the Month for June for chairing this year’s campaign, which required months of intensive planning and fundraising and culminated in the Relay for Life on June 11-12 at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School stadium.

By the end of closing ceremonies on June 12, the local Relay for Life had raised $187,757 to fund fighting and finding a cure for cancer, exceeding the campaign’s target goal by $84,000.

“Mo represents the essence of what it means to be a volunteer,” Nehring told the Marysville City Council on June 27, in front of an audience that included Olason, her husband Todd and her children Mike and Lila. “Her passion and dedication inspired others in and around the community.”

Nehring, who walked several laps at Relay as the city team’s co-captain, praised Olason’s family and fellow coordinators and volunteers for the parts they played in the event as well.

“Relay for Life was truly a family and team effort,” Nehring said. “Each did their part in ways big and small.”

With Olason in the lead, 634 individuals and 68 teams gathered at Relay for Life to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to the disease, while raising awareness and much-needed funds for the fight against cancer. Participants raised money through rummage sales, bake sales, dog walks, car washes, golf tournaments, oyster barbecues, motorcycle rides and social networking sites.

“While no award can adequately recognize all that Olason, Relay Team Development Chair Jessica Henkel and all of the Relay volunteers achieved in their efforts to eliminate cancer, this at least is a token of our gratitude for the incredible leadership she brought to an event that was at times fun and inspiring, and at other times emotional and reflective,” Nehring said.

Olason told attendees of the June 27 Council meeting that she was honored by the recognitions. She credited her family and volunteers for their hard work, and urged even greater participation next year.