Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The 2004 Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund Gala will be Sept. 11 at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Several items already have been donated for the silent and live auctions, including special artwork. Proceeds from the event go toward helping local patients in their fight against cancer.
The KCCCF comprises volunteers and gives 100 percent of the money raised each year to cancer patients. No funds go to administration fees. Funds are distributed to cancer patients for items such as rent/mortgage payments, utilities, food certificates, health/life insurance, medicine and other needs.
Money is raised by corporate sponsors, private donations, golf outing, bridge tournament, other fund-raising activities and the annual Gala. Last year, the 2003 KCCCF raised more than $150,000 for patients.
Live auction items include: an AKC-registered Golden Retriever puppy, donated by Pam Brickley Hann, (value $650); 20-foot Rave Aqua Jump Trampoline, donated by Bart's Water Sports ($3,000); luxury motor home travel to Soldier Field and six tickets to see the Bears play the Washington Redskins, Bears tickets donated by Dave Stell and Chuck Niemier, and motor home donated by Omer Kropf ($1,000); a week at a Hilton Head villa, includes air fare for two courtesy of ATA, donated by Dr. and Mrs. Haines ($1,500); cruise on Lake Wawasee on the S.S. Lily Pad with 80 friends for three hours, donated by Mike Kaduke ($2,000); diamond pendant with 25 princess cut diamonds (total weight .40 carats) set in a 14k yellow gold setting, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Allen ($1,285); and Christmas in Chicago, with an overnight stay at The Peninsula, a five-star hotel on the Magnificent Mile, breakfast in bed, dinner at the 95th, roses and valet parking, donated by Tom and Amy Lowe ($850).
The 2004 silent auction will include an artist auction featuring local artists who are cancer survivors or individuals paying tribute to a loved one battling or who has died of cancer. Some of the artists, while still fighting cancer, have made commitments to the Cancer Gala by taking time to make art for this event between receiving treatments, being ill and taking care of their families.
Fourteen artists will participate in this year's Artist Silent Auction: Sarah Creason, Columbia City, oil painting; DiAnn Smith, Claypool, acrylic painting; Joan Moore, Leesburg, ceramics; Sue Karczewski, Warsaw, crystal vintage jewelry; the late Deb Gartland, scarf; Cindy Katris, Warsaw, textile/furniture; Bob Sanders, Warsaw, pencil drawing; Bill Flora, Elkhart, jewelry; Susan Brandis, Syracuse, limited edition print; Mary Pat Wallen, Winona Lake, mixed media sculpture; Duane Darland, hand-blown glass bowl; Wayne Harshbarger, alabaster stone sculpture; Steve Johnson, Goshen, watercolor; and Lou Stephan, Indianapolis, woodcarving. Photographs and biographies of the artists will be displayed during the Gala. Beginning bids will range from $200-$1,200.
In addition to the art, silent auction items include: a Flexsteel recliner, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Greg Ummel and Flexsteel Corp.; an overnight stay at the Ramada Plaza or Ramada White Hill Manor and two tickets to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Wagon Wheel Theatre, donated by Michael T. Stetzel; and a Sunrise Photography family portrait package.
Donations may be mailed to KCCCF at Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, P.O. Box 1809, Warsaw, IN 46581-1809.
