This weekend, organizers of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction hope to almost double the money raised in 1999, with a goal of $30,000.

Thursday, January 18, 2001

This weekend, organizers of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction hope to almost double the money raised in 1999, with a goal of $30,000.

"It’s a lofty goal," admitted Gary Ziegler, who co-chairs the committee with his wife Cindy. "But with all the enthusiasm and the big hearts of the business owners and the bidders, anything is possible."

Last year, the group raised $27,200 for cancer research, and they gave the fifth district Eagles $15,500 in 1999.

"We raised $458,000 last year in the district," Ziegler boasted.

A newly organized pool and dart tournament held in Carpenter, Iowa, will provide additional funds to the total this year.

"We’ll announce how much was raised at the tournament. It’s kind of the biggest secret in town," Ziegler said.

The money raised by the district is donated to the Hormel Institute, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center to conduct further research on cancer.

More than 30 people, from 80-year-olds down to second-graders, have worked on the 22nd annual cancer auction, and some of those folks have even volunteered most of the 22 years.

Volunteers have been busy soliciting donations from area businesses and preparing the homemade soups and sandwiches that will be available this weekend. Others will be working this weekend.

"We’ve just had a wonderful response from the businesses," Ziegler said. Just about every business the group approached has donated. There’s everything from ready-mix concrete to LP gas to retail goods.

Private individuals have also donated items. Homemade quilts will be up for bids.

"And we have an old tradition – a local wood craftsman donates something every year," Ziegler said. "Last year it was a ’36 Ford coupe that raised $1,025.

"This year, he’s made a Farmall tractor with terrific detail," Ziegler continued. That will be auctioned around 4 p.m. Saturday.

Another tradition is the 12-pack of beer and Silver Bullet t-shirt that’s auctioned off every year in honor of the former owner of the Silver Bullet Bar, Sharon Kaput, a woman who battled and eventually died of cancer.

"It’s resold every year and the buyer will autograph it, with the understanding that it stays at the Legion on display," Ziegler said. The buyer will receive a t-shirt to keep, while the 12-pack remains on display.

"Last year that raised $525. We’ll auction that Friday night," Ziegler said.

A three-night stay at the Sierra in Las Vegas, Nev. is another offering that Ziegler figures will be a hit.

Friday night, the band 6 Mile Grove will also perform to keep the troops entertained.

"It’s for a serious cause, but we try to have a lot of fun with it," Ziegler said.

The Lyle Area Cancer Auction will be held this weekend at the Lyle Legion Club, starting at 6 p.m. Friday and picking up again from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday. Homemade soups, sandwiches, nachos and coffee will be available both days.

For more information, call Gary or Cindy Ziegler at 325-2571.