By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Those wanting to help people battling cancer in Kosciusko and Fulton counties have an opportunity to do so on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Beaver Dam Community Church Wheels on Fire-Cancer Crusaders are having their annual Smash Out Cancer event at the Akron Community Center, 815 Rural St.

It runs from 4-9 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., live music starts with Kendra Haney, Mike Bowers, Mike Love, Ed Rock and Kylene Crabb performing.

Deb Collier’s School of Dance students perform at 5 p.m., with the live auction, featuring more than 30 items, at 6:30 p.m, and the pie auction, featuring more than 40 pies and cakes, following that.

A memorial lighting service in honor of those who’ve passed away from cancer will start around 8:30 p.m. Food, including Igloo ice cream, will be for sale.

Proceeds will benefit cancer care funds in the two counties, which help pay for transportation costs for local people getting treatment and similar needs.

Wheels on Fire Co-Chairperson Christina Morehouse noted the event is important because “every day, someone we know is touched by cancer.”

“The need for financial assistance by those who are in the battle is continuous,” she said. “The bills don’t stop coming because you are diagnosed with cancer, or you can’t go to work because you have a chemo treatment.”

“We strive to make this event bigger and better each year,” said Morehouse. “The more people we can help, the harder we will work to raise the money they need. No one fights alone. That is why we continue to have Smash Out.”

Morehouse said she hoped attendees “enjoy themselves” in addition to helping out.

“We also hope that they walk away feeling like they played some small part in helping those in need,” she said. “Buying a hamburger or a drink, bidding on an auction item or enjoying Igloo ice cream, all those things help raise money for cancer patients. We also hope that as they leave the event, they are conscious of how widespread cancer reaches those they know and share their community with every day.”