SACS: The coming together of a like-hearted community

On August 5^th there was a gathering of the kindest souls at Evans-Bosshard Park for the annual Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS) fundraiser. Volunteers flooded the area, playing music, face painting the youth, grilling, taking donations and raffling off a massive assortment of donated gifts and prizes. A series of long tables were covered in cookies, pastries, brownies and other baked goods from volunteer bakers. Live music set a peaceful tone for the event. There were areas set aside for remembering, honoring, recalling and crying.

As people arrived, they were greeted by Mavis Dyckman, Cora Aschwander and Barb Smith. These ladies were registering cancer survivors, who would later have their names read aloud over by the band shelter, and receive a rose. Aside from registering the survivors, these three women held a wealth of knowledge and were very helpful in explaining all the events and happenings that were taking place at the massive fund raiser.

Over at the bake sale, Joanne Bohnert, along with her daughter Jil, stood watch over the delicious and delectable desserts that spanned several long-tables. All of the tasty pastries had been baked by twelve volunteers, who have been a staple of the event for over five years. Theresa Burns-Gilbert, who was tending the far reaches of the bake sale, said that all proceeds go directly into the fund for the event. There are no salaries paid here, only kind hearts making sure that those enduring a rough road have less to worry about on the financial front.

Another volunteer, Tonya Smith, of The Edge Salon in Sparta, was face-painting six year-old Toryann Jotham. Jayla Dalberg, Saniya Bagley and Maggie Davenport, all eleven years old, stood by and watched Smith as she worked her artistic magic, transforming youngsters into princesses, super heroes and mythical creatures. All volunteers wore huge smiles as they performed in service of the greater cause.

Royalty was roaming the event, as Fest Master Steve Schauf was joined by Lady Butterfest Jenny Lydon, Princess Kalli Giraud, Princess Ella Rademan, Miss Sparta Outstanding Teen Grace Giraud and Junior Miss Kiralynn Lakowske. Miss Sparta, Ellie Eswein, had a prior engagement. When the survivors sat in the audience and had their names read over the microphone, that person would raise their hand, and a red rose would be delivered to them promptly by one of the royals.

Local radio station personality Arnie Andrews was nestled up on a noll in the WCOW tent, complete with cool banners and equipment. He was joined by his daughter Lilly and son Easton. The trio added to the amazing ambiance that was now swirling within the social collective, tucked into the corner of kindness and goodwill.

Stories of survivors meshed with memories of courageously fought battles that family members and friends will forever remember and honor. Terry Tobin was working the wishing tree and pinwheel table, both raising more money for the county-wide cancer cause. Tobin survived cancer eighteen years ago and has been a volunteer for the past seventeen years. She spoke of the luminary walk, and how people can purchase a white bag for the memory of a loved one and write the name of that loved who has passed from cancer, on that bag. People may also honor someone who has survived.

“I bought six of them,” Tobin said, “I lost my mother and father to cancer, as well as friends too. So I wrote on the luminary bag ‘To mom, Love Terry’ and later they will light a candle inside.”

As Terry was speaking, there was a pause of a few seconds when talking about her parents and friends. One can only imagine the hurt and sadness that dwell within those few seconds of recalling a wretched period of time only the devil should have to endure … fuel used to fight alongside current battlers. There is a strong dedication amongst these volunteers … a will for all to survive.

The luminary walk started as dusk approached. Candles were lit inside the bags and set on the sand inside, which assures that they would stay anchored to one spot, as loved ones remained anchored in the hearts and minds of friends and family. People walk as the names of souls that have passed are read, and then a reading of names of those who have survived and are surviving.

Gary Peterson, co-president with Karen Edwards, says that there are monthly meetings year around, and once every two weeks as the event approaches. Peterson’s biggest concern this year was turnout. “Last year we had to have an abbreviated event due to covid,” Peterson said. “This year we are hoping everyone comes back and supports us as great as they used to do.” Gary went on to say how everything is volunteer at the event. The Lions Club donated food and their time to grill it and serve it. Brian Overturf was on the grill and keeping the bins well stocked for the crowd.

“All the money raised stays in the area; Cashton, Cataract, Rockland, all of Monroe County, and it helps with groceries, rent and even shuttling people to appointments,” Peterson stated.

It was a time dedicated to memories and honor. It was a moment when kind hearts, many of them survivors themselves, banded together to fight for those in need. It was an event that showed evil that love is not going away; that love is the perpetual light that cannot be extinguished as long as the human spirit wanders the earth.