BUCYRUS-Ron Hurst felt helpless when his wife lost her battle with ALS less than a year after she was diagnosed.

“I had to watch her die and it was horrible. There was nothing I could do,” Hurst said.

Hurst had already owned and operated Kelley’s Paint and Gun Store in Bucyrus for several years when, in 2009, he opened Hurst Auto Body at 3617 Ohio 4, north of Bucyrus.

Through his business, Hurst has found a way to help others battling ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) by hosting the first annual Cruise-In for the Cure.

“Our goal is $10,000 for this year,” Hurst said.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, affects the nerves in the body, eventually causing the nerve cells to break down and die. No cure has been found for ALS and it is always fatal.

Jessica Knell works for Hurst and is helping organize the fundraiser.

“Jerry Cress is in charge of the poker run. Registration begins at 10 a.m.,” said Knell.

The last bike is out at 11 a.m. with a card-draw happening between 10 and 11 a.m.

A car and tractor show also kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 with awards will be given out at 4 p.m.

Knell said there will be both a silent auction ending at 7:30 p.m. and a live one at 5 p.m. with tons of items including a coin collection and a Bucyrus-themed Monopoly game.

“We will be raffling off T-Shirts from area businesses throughout the day and will have 50/50 drawings. This is a fun family event with lots of kids’ activities including a kiddie tractor pull and face-painting,” Knell said. “We received so many awesome donations from businesses in our community and the surrounding areas.”

A pair of Heritage .22 pistols with holsters and a Remington 700 tactical 308 with a scope and hydrographic will also be auctioned off.

Local musicians will provide live entertainment throughout the day with the Mile Markers from Norwalk taking the stage around 6 p.m. and there will be food vendors available.

“We will be passing out lanterns and markers to send off at 9 p.m. in honor of those lost to ALS and those battling this horrible disease,” said Hurst.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Northern Ohio Chapter of the ALS Foundation.

For more information, call Hurst Auto Body at 419-562-2223 or visit Hurst Auto Body’s website or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HurstAutoBody.