BUCYRUS – Members of the American Legion Auxiliary are rallying around one of their own for this year’s “Make and Bake” fund-raiser.
The Auxiliary’s Colonel Crawford Unit 181 is earmarking proceeds from the 22nd annual Make and Bake Benefit Auction for longtime member Monica Dyer, who is battling a form of breast cancer. The auction is set for Saturday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at the Legion Hall.
“We have fun with it. We definitely keep the auction going,” said Tami Tima, auction chairperson and first vice president of the Auxiliary. “The evening doesn’t drag on, that’s for sure.”
Tima said “Make and Bake,” traditionally held in January, is the organization’s biggest money-making project. It always raises money for a community member in need, she said, with Dyer chosen by nearly 100 Auxiliary members as this year’s recipient.
Dyer – a nurse, mother, and grandmother – was diagnosed last June with invasive lobular carcinoma. She has undergone several cancer surgeries, Tima said, as well as 20 weeks of chemotherapy and dozens of radiation treatments, with more surgeries ahead.
Auction donations are already coming in, Tima said, including gift certificates from area businesses. She said crocheted afghans, wooden toys, and small pieces of furniture are always popular auction items, along with scarves, hats, handwoven baskets.
Of course, “Make and Bake” is also about the baking – especially pies and cakes, Tima said. But donations of cookies, brownies, and cupcakes are certainly welcome on auction night, and other goodies such as bags of homemade croutons have also drawn big bucks from bidders, she said.
Castle Auctions & Appraisals in town is doing the event free of charge, Tima said. Prior to the auction, the Legion is having its annual “chili crockpot” dinner beginning at 5 p.m. More than a dozen pots of hot chili will be available for $5 a bowl or a donation, she said.
The auction raises as much as $6,000 a year, Tima said and has benefitted many deserving Crawford County families over the years. Proceeds one year even went to pay for a care dog for an autistic child, she said.
“It’s usually the last Saturday in January but because of COVID we couldn’t do it then, so we moved it to March this year,” Tima said. “We’ve always done really well with it. They know it’s going to a good cause, and they know us.”
Donations can be dropped off at the American Legion, 123 E. Rensselaer St., on Friday, March 26. Checks can also be sent to the ALA Unit 181 at the same address and earmarked “Make and Bake.” For questions, contact Tima at 419-689-9350.