Cancer Network of Sanders County holds annual fundraiser
Izzy Crabb showing off a chain saw during the live auction. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Little witch Rowyn Niemi dancing to the music. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Helen Bertrand showing items at the live auction. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Dustin Blanchard shows off a Trump knife during the live auction. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
It was auctioneer Kevin Hill's 12th year doing the auction. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Western Sky Band from Trout Creek performs at the Cancer Network auction. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Saturday night brought together donors, sponsors, volunteers and the public. It was an exciting time at the annual Cancer Network of Sanders County benefit auction at the Sanders County Fair pavilion.
Music, dancing and bidding wars brought together all that attended to help the Cancer Network of Sanders County continue helping those suffering from the disease.
The Cancer Network was first organized in 2001 by supporting breast cancer patients. Currently they give $900 per year to residents of Sanders County who suffer from all types of cancer. To date, the organization as help residents with over $854,000 being gifted.
This year’s fundraiser theme was called “Fright Night" and attendees were dressed to perfection.
Shelly Bertrand, President of CNBC for the last three years, was instrumental in organizing the event with the help of many volunteers and the following sponsors. Avista, Blackfoot, Clark Fork Valley Hospital, First Security Band, Harvest Foods, Johnson’s Hardware, Mt West Dental, Sunset Hills Funeral Home, and TRL. Over 50 donors, both local businesses and individuals contributed to the live and silent auction.
The evening started out with music by a local group from Trout Creek called The Western Sky Band. Musicians Dave and Deb Oliver were singing for the 12th year at the event, while Keith Meyers, the third member of the band, was playing for his third year.
With the music playing, the public was being served dinner, followed with the live auction. Bidding during the live auction was intense with lots of laughter and many cat calls to drive up the bid prices. Auctioneer, Kevin Hill, in his 12th year calling the auction, kept everyone in stitches with his comments.
Halloween costumes were judged by the audience and Plains resident Leo Larson, dressed as Fireball, won best dressed for the occasion.
While the music was playing, little Rowyn Niemi dressed as a witch, kept everyone in smiles dancing for all to see.
During the auction, items were stacking up around Michael Bertrand and it was looking like he was the top spender for the evening at $1,160. Bertrand’s wife, President Bertrand, jokingly took his bidding number away for a while.
President Bertrand said that the last auction in 2020 took in $27,000 and she was hoping to exceed that amount this year. The live auction this year took in $3990, with the silent auction taking in $691. Total donations from all sources are still being tallied.
Those that wish to donate can do so through the Cancer Network of Sanders County website at: http://cancernetworksanderscounty.org/donate
