Pekin Coaches vs Cancer raises $4,000-plus at basketball game

PACKWOOD ? The recent Pekin Coaches vs Cancer basketball game raised more than $4,000 for the American Cancer Society.

The fundraising event included both a silent auction and a live auction. The silent auction featured baskets filled with items donated by various businesses and individuals. The live auction during half time had bidding for Iowa State University basketball and Major League baseball tickets, an autographed Chicago Bears football, restaurant gift certificates, a house-divided ISU/University of Iowa decorated yard disc and a coaches-autographed ISU basketball.

A cancer survivor donated a quilt that was raffled off during the boys game.

In honor of the 46 people who will be diagnosed with cancer every day in Iowa, young volunteers stormed the crowd of Pekin and Winfield fans for the 46-second bucket drill where fans dug deep into their pockets for loose change or bills and filled the buckets.

Also during the event, fans and Pekin basketball players wore Coaches vs Cancer ?Shoot Out Cancer? T-shirts, and others wore purple, to remember ?we battle against all cancers.?

Kourtney Heald of the Jefferson County Relay for Life said, the event ?was a great success, and a big thank you goes out to all ... It?s because of the efforts of all of you, the event was able to raise over $4,000.?

?For every dollar raised, the American Cancer Society is able to come one step closer to finishing the fight against cancer, and we will be able to live in a world that celebrates more birthdays,? said Heald.

Anyone who would like to become involved with future Coaches vs Cancer events or with the Jefferson County Relay for Life, can call Heald at 319-695-3820.