People participate in the memorial candle lighting ceremony during Beaver Dam United Methodist Church’s Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders’ Smash Out Cancer event on Aug. 20 in Akron. Monies raised from the event will go to help those battling cancer in Kosciusko and Fulton counties. Photo provided.

News Release

AKRON — Hundreds attended Beaver Dam United Methodist Church’s Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders’ Smash Out Cancer event on Saturday, Aug. 20.

It was at the Akron Community Center where patrons were treated to food, entertainment, live auction items and goodies and pies up for bid. There was also a memorial lighting ceremony to remember those who have lost their fight to cancer and celebrate those who are still in the fight and who have won the battle against the disease.

The evening kicked off with music by Mike Bowers. He entertained the crowd with selections of gospel music. Following Bowers, Kylene Crabb sang country hits. Deb Collier’s School of Dance took to the stage next with their array of young dancers.

New to the event this year was Erica Snyder, who performed a chalk talk of Elvis Presley. Ed Rock rounded out the night’s entertainment by singing before the live auction action began.

The live auction consisted of 50 donated and handcrafted items. Once it ended, it was time for the 59 pies to be auctioned off. Pies are made by various members of the church and the community, and the bidding got quite intense.

Esther May’s Peach Cream Pie was set to be the big seller of the night until the pie made in memory of Lori Miller was presented. Miller who passed away in April was the chairperson of Wheels on Fire and an integral part of the organization.

The pie sold for $1,000, but it didn’t stop there. It was then cut into 10 pieces, and each piece was then auctioned off. Those pieces each went for an additional $100.

After a short break, the memorial candle lighting ceremony began. Rock performed “Angels Among Us,” and a short ceremony honoring Lori Miller and Ned Heighway was held. Heighway was also a member of the Wheels on Fire team and had just passed away the week before.

As names were read, patrons approached the lit candle to light their loved one’s candle or their own candle. It was a beautiful ceremony honoring the names on the list.

The Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders formed in 2004 as a Relay for Life team with just a few members participating in the overnight event. In 2016, the team made the decision to go out on their own as a mission of the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church so the money raised would benefit local cancer patients in Kosciusko and Fulton counties.

If people suffer from cancer and need assistance, they should contact the Kosciusko or Fulton County cancer care funds. The date for the next Smash Out Cancer is Aug.19, 2023.

The Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders would like to thank all who donated items or pies, helped with food, volunteered their time at this year’s event and those who attended the event. Without the community, none of this would be possible.