Thanks for the all community support

Dear Editor:

The Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund held its sixth annual fundraiser dinner and live auction Saturday evening, Aug. 24. This event was a sell-out and the funds raised exceeded $30,000.

Thank you to everyone (individuals and businesses) who made this fundraising project a tremendous success. The Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund was established in 1987 as a non-profit, charitable organization to locally assist individuals and families while undergoing cancer treatments. Examples of assistance include providing gasoline for trips to and from treatments, groceries, utility assistance, and other needs of patients based on individual needs.

On behalf of the VCCR Board of Directors, I would like to thank everyone for his or her continued support to this organization. Many people worked very hard behind the scenes to make this event a beautiful evening of fun and fellowship.

I would like to offer a special thank you to Donna Sheets, Gary and Louise Lunkenheimer, Nevada Eagles for donating the facility, all auction item donors, everyone who helped with setup and decorating, all kitchen help and servers, and everyone who served as celebrity waiters for the evening (more than $5,000 in tips were raised by the waiters.)

One highlight of the evening was a diamond/rose raffle to win a 3/4 carat diamond that was donated by Rinehart Jewelry. I would like to thank Rinehart's for sponsoring this exciting and fun raffle.

Another raffle was also held to win a shotgun, donated by the late Ed Meisenheimer. Tickets for this raffle were pre-sold and also sold throughout the evening, raising nearly $1,000 for VCCR. I have no doubt that Ed had a hand in this drawing, as his son Dick Meisenheimer ended up being the winner of his father's shotgun. That made many of us present that night smile big time.

This community pulls together every year, all year long, year after year, to support VCCR. By doing so, individuals and businesses from near and far help Vernon County Cancer Relief reach out with love, hope, and concern to Vernon County residents while battling cancer.

We cannot express our thanks to everyone enough. Should anyone know of a Vernon County resident who is battling cancer, please don't hesitate to visit our website www.vernoncountycancerrelief.org Application for assistance can be accessed at this site, and any board member welcomes contact from anyone for further information.

Mike Turnbull, president

Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund