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A huge crowd turned out to support five local
families who currently have loved ones battling cancer. Those loved
ones recognized included Carol Anderson, Jennifer Bone, Pam Morrow,
Alissa Smith and Cindy Wilham. A grand total of $13,481 was raised
on this night that included an auction of donated items, a 50-50
raffle, a meat raffle, t-shirt sales, a pork BBQ dinner, gate
receipts and other monetary donations.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the evening took place during the
live auction and featured the Mount Pulaski student section bidding
on a pink baseball bat that was made and donated by Nathan Fricke.
The auctioneer, Cody Redman, really had the crowd fired up as MPHS
senior Aidan Schneider led the bidding on behalf of the student
section against Linda Smith. Linda was representing the Smith
family, of which there were many members in attendance in support of
Alissa Smith. Alissa is the mom of MPHS student Landon Smith and
MPGS student Olivia Smith.
The bid was back and forth between the two, with the student section
really getting fired up with each head nod by Redman. On the other
end of the gym, Linda was encouraged by her son Gavin and nephew
Landon to keep going. In the end, an enthusiastic Redman hollered
“Sold, sold, sold!” as he pointed towards the student section.
Schneider had won the bid for $700 and the student section went
wild, with bodies jumping in the air and fists pumping towards the
gym’s ceiling.
But wait for the moment that can teach us all a lesson. After
Schneider was presented the beautiful pink bat, he took his
mile-wide smile and hand-delivered the bat to Landon Smith. Yes. The
bat was purchased by the student section and donated to Landon
Smith, who is also a member of the 2021 Hilltoppers 4th place state
baseball team. There were some tears as the entire gym applauded the
students’ gesture of kindness. Landon’s sister, Olivia, would go
home with the pink softball bat that was also made and donated by
Fricke and purchased by the Smith family. Smiling through her tears,
clutching the bat, sixth-grader Olivia said, “I don’t even play
softball.” Maybe she will now.
What a great evening of love and support felt around the gym for
these individuals and their families who continue the fight against
cancer.
The only low note on the night was on the court, as the volleyball
team lost to Jacksonville 25-23 and 25-14 in a hard fought battle.
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The check for $13,481 was written at the end of the
night and some of the families had already left for the evening to
go home and get some much needed rest.
Please continue to pray for these dear people in their fight against
cancer.
The Smith family poses with the MPHS student section
at the Volley for the Cure. Rob, Olivia, Alissa and Landon are
pictured in the front row. Giving the thumbs up is Aidan Schneider
in the second row on the left.
Cindy Wilham and
Alissa Smith hold the check at the end of the night, surrounded by
Smtih's two children, Olivia and Landon.
Craftsman and funeral director, Nathan Fricke,
explains to Landon Smith the process involved in making the bats.
[Teena Lowery] |
