Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON — Beaver Dam Community Church's Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders' job from God "is to love, to help and to cherish one another," said Wheels on Fire member Terry Randall.
He spoke briefly Saturday, Aug. 15 during the candle-lighting ceremony at the organization's Smash Out Cancer event at the Akron Community Center. Wheels on Fire raised $20,062 at the event.
In its 10th year, Smash Out Cancer is the premier fundraising event for Wheels on Fire, which works to help cancer patients in Fulton and Kosciusko counties.
The candle-lighting ceremony closed out Smash Out Cancer Saturday. People purchased candles in memory of those who've passed away from cancer or who've lived with the disease and placed them on a giant cancer awareness ribbon.
Earlier in the evening, several singers performed. People could also purchase food or bid on multiple items in the silent auction.
Wheels on Fire also held a live auction. A chair painted by a former employee of the Times-Union went for the highest amount, at $1,175.
WRSW sports broadcaster Rita Price-Simpson donated the furniture piece, which bears a lighthouse and the Bible verse Psalm 27:1, or "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation."
She purchased it years ago at another fundraiser for cancer patients after her mother, Helen Price, passed away from breast cancer. Price-Simpson said she donated it in honor of her mother and her daughter, Dana Pierce, who is currently battling breast cancer.
Doug Miller was the winning bidder, with him stating Price-Simpson sang at his and his late wife Lori Miller's wedding in 1980. Lori Miller was a founding member of Wheels on Fire and served as the head of it at the time of her passing in 2022.
Other top items in the live auction were a quilt made by Julie Reese going for $625 and a basketball signed by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham and donated by Jim Steen going for $550.
Money was also raised during a pie and baked good auction. The top three highest bids were for: cupcakes made by Lisa Adams going at $600; a cake made by Lydia Engle going at $500; and two pies made by Dave Shriver going at $410 each.
Wheels on Fire Chairwoman Christina Morehouse said Smash Out Cancer "went very well."
"Every dollar we make is a dollar more that we can give away," she said. "We're just thankful for everyone that came, and we felt like it was a blessed event. We can't wait for next year."
