By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
As Dwayne “Whitey” Hagen was about to begin the 35th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction Friday night at Geneva Bar & Grill, he said, "Everybody thinks that the cancer auction is about me. It isn't. This cancer auction is about each and every one of you who comes through the door and shares their care and concern for those who are battling cancer or in honor of someone they love."
Nonetheless, the Hagen family has become like an army fighting the battle against cancer. And surprisingly, all of this began because of a chicken that Whitey first put up for bid to help raise money for cancer so many years ago. The whole Hagen family shares Whitey’s thought that it isn't just one person, but many who have made it an important part of their lives to attend and support the Geneva Cancer Auction every year.
The first weekend of the 2019 auction continued Saturday afternoon. The auction wraps up this weekend, Jan. 18-19, at Geneva Bar & Grill.
It is almost impossible to name the wide array of things that are donated and put on the auction block each year. Typically, the auction includes a great number of items that you won't find anywhere else.
The first item was a quart jar of hot dill pickles donated in honor and memory of Vi Blazek, who was one of the first to say, “I can donate some pickles” when she heard they were looking for items to be donated all those years ago. She went on to share the tradition with her daughter Sue. Vi always said hot pickles were good for you. Those pickles sold for at least $10 a quart on up to over $2400 a jar by a group who wanted to honor her memory.
Fighting cancer isn't a small thing, but some who do are young people who make a big difference. We cry yet today for little 7-year-old Finly Budach, who lost her childhood to medical conditions almost one year ago. She was remembered with big tears Saturday. Abbey Holland decided she wanted to donate one of her stocking caps to the cancer auction this year in honor and in memory of her cousin Finly. Abbey’s gift was heartfelt by many at the auction and went on to raise $3,000.
Tom Donnelly IV was also remembered Saturday. Tom was a genuine Irishman, nicknamed "Digger" because he dug so many graves in our area. That little leprechaun of a man is still missed.
Ten-year-old Finn Baumann, who lived across the street from Digger, donated a collection of items, including a shovel, in remembrance of his good friend. Finn’s donation raised a great deal of money and brought back a lot of good memories of Digger.
The auction included some beautiful afghans and quilts, including one that honored Nancy Cornelius, whom we lost this past year.
There were also a number of hand-painted decorative signs, food items, farm-fresh eggs, canned goods, pudding shots, gift certificates, newspaper subscriptions, jewelry, purses and travel bags, blankets, wine, oil changes, tools, T-shirts and caps. The list goes on.
The annual auction also includes many special stories of events, along with an assortment of donations from other fundraising activities throughout year. A group from the 34th Annual Wild Game Feed made a special presentation on Friday night as they donated $17,500. Judy Thompson was the one who first suggested starting the Wild Game Feed before cancer took her life.
The 2019 auction will resume at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and again on Saturday afternoon, starting at 2. The Saturday auction will feature agricultural items beginning at 4, followed by sports-related items.
We salute each and every one who continues to give their time and talents to the auction. Thanks are also extended to the many great people who donate.