Susan Goodman Komen, at age thirty-three, received a diagnosis from doctors that was as chilling as it was confusing. After all, in 1976, few people knew much of anything about such a thing, let alone how to deal with it.
You see, Susan had Breast Cancer.
Four years later, she died from her condition, with her sister Nancy Goodman Brinker creating the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, so that those who would come to share Susan’s diagnosis would be better prepared for the fight ahead.
Now known simply as Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the organization has seen several individuals and companies contribute to their cause.
Recently, C.K. Technologies Montpelier branch, decided to do their part as well.
The company held a Cruise-In for Cancer on October 24, with proceeds going to the Komen’s charity. Plant Manager Jeremie Thiel orchestrated the event, with team members Melanie Burzynski, Greg Lee, Vincent Kline-Parker, Krystal Hake, Carrie Arnold, Aimee Thorpe, Shelby Thompson, and Jeanette Hull all proving vital to the event’s organization as well.
Most of the cars on display for the event were provided by the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Ohio Commodore Perry Chapter, though some workers elected to bring their own classic vehicles as well. C.K. set up a 50/50 raffle and prize drawings, and sold t-shirts printed by Hammer Athletics in an effort to raise funds for the cause.
Local vendors Cookies on Demand and Wynn’s Family Restaurant were invited to cater the Cruise-In. Between the two, those in attendance were treated to hot dogs, chilli, macaroni topped with bacon, and an assortment of home-made cookies. In a truly charitable act, both vendors donated twenty percent of their sales to C.K.’s Komen fund.
When approached by C.K. about the charity event, a plethora of local organizations stepped in to sponsor the Cruise-In. Aside from Cookies on Demand and Wynn’s, who both took up the sponsorship mantle as well, Covington Box, Gofer Auto, Grainger, Grote Industries, H.E. Rudy, Kaiser Aluminum, Maumee Valley Vending, McKechnie Vehicle Components, Mohre Electronics, Plastic Forming Company, Plastic Service Centers, Polyone Distribution, Sabie Innovative Plastics, and the Montpelier Chamber of Commerce all agreed to sponsor the event.
Members of various village council members and chambers of commerce, as well as WEDCO board members, were invited to be on hand for the Cruise-In. A lot of them showed up to the event to show their support for the cause.
The Cruise-In raised over $700 for Breast Cancer research overall, a strong showing for a private event. But it was the support shown be the communities of Williams County C.K. was able to draw that is the real story here. So many organizations came together to make the Cruise-In possible, with every one of them aiming to raise awareness of Breast Cancer.
And Susan Komen had to be smiling down upon them all.