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Cancer fundraiser set
The Vernon County Cancer Relief organization will hold its 10th annual August fundraising dinner on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Eagles Lodge. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. with the meal at 7 p.m. The evening will include a raffle as well as silent and live auctions.
Founded in Sept. 1987 through the efforts of Jody Renwick and the Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust, VCCR is a non-profit, charitable tax-exempt organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families in Vernon County.
Said Jamie Vantellman, president of the eight person VCCR board, “We help Vernon County residents in active cancer treatment by providing vouchers for gas and food and sometimes assistance with utilities and medications.”
Since last August’s fundraising dinner, VCCR has helped between 12 and 22 people each month, which to date includes $14,515.09 for gas cards, $4,980 for grocery cards and $2,960.48 on utilities with additional funds for medications.
There is a 3-page simple form to fill out which enables VCCR to make decisions regarding assistance. This form is available on the VCCR website, vernoncountycancerrelief.org.
VCCR has a local, volunteer board of directors and all monies raised stay in Vernon County.
Saying she needed to make several things clear, Vantellman said VCCR is neither a part of nor has a relationship with Relay for Life or the American Cancer Society.
“My mother died of cancer,” said Vantellman. “And I’m really grateful for all the research the cancer society does. But because of changes they had to make some years ago, they are no longer providing basic services at the local level. And that’s why VCCR was formed and that’s why it’s still needed.”
Vantellman spoke of her mother and how much she appreciated getting a wig.
She said, “I am so thankful that On My Own, here in Nevada, has started a wig closet and has a relationship with VCCR.”
Board Secretary, Renea Schulze, said, “The board meets each month and we review each request. I know for myself and really, I’m sure it’s true for every board member — past and present — sometimes what people submit to us breaks your heart but that is nothing compared to the gratitude we receive for the help we’re able to provide.”
Schulze had a long list of people to thank for making VCCR and its assistance possible.
“First are the people of this area,” she said. “Cancer has touched the lives of so many people in this county and in some pretty awful ways. And yet what the people of Vernon County give to us is such an outpouring of love. It’s both amazing and humbling.”
Funding sources include memorials, contributions, the Joy Spiva Cragin Charitable Trust, and occasional Wal-Mart grants.
The annual dinner is the major fundraiser where monies come from ticket sales, raffles, waiters’ tips, the silent and live auctions with the bulk of the funds coming from table sponsorships.
The August dinner and auction began in 2008 and netted $18,000 that first year while in 2016 it brought in $26,000.
Asked about the dinner, Schulze began with the menu.
“Terry Dighero will prepare the meal of brisket, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, broccoli salad, roll and choice of drink,” she said. “Louise Lunkenheimer and her students in the Culinary Arts Program over at the Bowman Building will provide the dessert.”
As in the past, local “celebrity” waiters will be working for tips, which are donated to VCCR. Included among these will be Joe Hardin, Presiding Commissioner; Dustin Osborn, Wal-Mart manager; Christy Carter, 3M manager; Carrie Poe, Circuit Clerk; Mike Buehler, County Clerk; Phil Couch, retired Collector/Treasurer; Staci Anderson, owner of 54 Feed & Seed; Julie Mader, Nevada Postmaster and her husband, Dave Mader; Mark Mendenhall, who works at Wilkinson’s warehouse and does a lot with the Elks; Brandi McInroy, Prosecuting Attorney; Sheree Gayman, Chamber Director; and Myles Miller, Edward Jones financial advisor.
Lee Atchison, a Nevada High School grad, will DJ the event with his mobile service.
The group is holding a drawing for two tickets to the Aug. 31 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans, donated by Richard Carpenter.
Said Schulze, “We are so grateful to Richard Carpenter for donating those tickets.”
Other items will include a custom made pen by Julie Kibble. Carol Schlobohm with Carol’s Kitchen has donated two $20 gift certificates. Vantellman described a pillow made from an old NHS band uniform. Brent Mendenhall has donated gift certificates from Del-Way Drive-In. Taylor (Norcross) Kimbrough has donated a gift basket of Perfectly Posh items.
This year’s live auction will be done by JJ Curtis and will include pies made by Terri (Westerhold) Logan, cupcakes by Lori Thompson, a window flag from Pete Schmidt and a painting from Mike Conway.
At this point, Schulze recalled a recent donation of $338 from Debbie Ogle with Wilkinson Pharmacy.
She said, “Their employees donated all of their money from recent jeans days to VCCR. That was greatly appreciated. Every year I am amazed at all the ways people show they care.”
There is a cadre of volunteers who assist in setting up for the dinner.
“We get the tables and chairs we use from two or three locations and this takes some organized effort to pick them up, set them up, take them down and return them,” said Schulze.
Further volunteers are used in decorating, setting tables, organizing the raffle room, plating the food, running the auction and final cleaning.
Individual tickets are available for a $20 donation and include the meal and entertainment while a table for eight is a $500 donation.
For tickets, table sponsorships, donations or to volunteer your time or services, contact VCCR board president, Jamie Vantellman at 417-321-9514 or secretary, Renea Schulze, at -417-667-1278
Other board members include Jeremy Fast, vice president; Lori Chadd, treasurer; Butch Renwick, Traci Cliffman, Linda Gower and Becky Butterfield.
Said Vantellman, “We’re asking people to help us so that, if the time comes, we’ll be there to help you and your loved ones.”