Beaver Dam United Methodist Church of Akron’s Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders handed out $35,500 each to both the Kosciusko and Fulton County cancer care funds on Sunday, Nov. 13. Shown, Wheels’ President Bill Leininger, front right, gives a check to the Kosciusko County cancer care fund’s Liz Surface, front left. Photos provided by Jackie Gorski, Warsaw Times-Union.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — The fight against cancer got a $71,000 boost this week from a local organization.

On Sunday, Nov. 13, the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church’s Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders presented two $35,500 checks to the Kosciusko and Fulton County cancer care funds. Both help those battling the disease with support for medications, utilities and other financial needs.

Wheels on Fire actually raised $78,360.93 this year through various events, with the remaining amount over $71,000 going to pay the organization’s expenses. It’s the most the Wheels has raised since its inception “by better than $10,000,” said its President Bill Leininger.

He could not pinpoint a reason for the jump in fundraising.

“We had a lot of donations come in from people we don’t know who they were, memorials, just donations,” he said. “I think that people are learning what we’re doing, the word’s got out what our money goes for and (people) are just very generous.”

He noted Wheels’ main event, Smash Out Cancer, held in August “was bigger than (it’s) ever been,” including having more pies for the pie auction.

“We sold $2,000 pies,” he said.

Leininger also said the group got around $26,000 in donations this year in honor of people who have passed away.

Along with Smash Out Cancer held in Akron, the group partnered with the Mentone fire department and Echoes of the Past antique farm equipment club of Kosciusko County for fundraisers. The Fulton County Gun Club also had its “Clays for Cancer,” which Leininger said is a “$5,000, $6,000” fundraiser for Wheels.

Next year, Wheels is to raise money during the Mentone Egg Festival and the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s country concert at Center Lake Pavilion.

Leininger said the group’s already gotten a jumpstart on next year’s fundraising.

“Today, I turned in several thousand dollars worth of donations,” he said, mentioning they would go for next year as Wheels cuts off its donations considered for each current year in October.

Regarding a goal for 2023 fundraising, Leininger said it was “one cent more than we did this year,” or just trying to do better than previously.

He also shared how the group’s continuing on following the death of Lori Miller. Miller, one of the founders of Wheels and its longtime president, passed away unexpectedly in April.

There are “big shoes to fill,” said Leininger who took over as president following her death. “When I was asked to head up the group, I was really hesitant because I didn’t think I could live up to Lori’s compassion and love for this group, but I think it’s through her that I’ve been able to do what I’ve been doing.”

“She loved this group so much and put so much energy into this group. I wasn’t about to let it die because we lost her,” he said.

Leininger praised Wheels’ members for being flexible and getting done what needs to be.

He added Wheels is “overwhelmed” by the amount they’ve been able to raise and the community support.

“It’s not just this little white church on the side of the road,” he said. “The community wants to be involved with what we do.”

Leininger, front right, presents a check to the Fulton County cancer care fund’s LeeAnn Pollock, front left.