HOISINGTON — Ghouls, ghosts, and goblins with generous hearts were among those attending the 3rd Annual Kans for Kids Auction and Dinner held Nov. 2 at the Hoisington Knights of Columbus. Barton County children living with cancer and children who will attend Camp Hope in 2014 will be the beneficiaries of funds raised at the Ghoulish Gala.
Prior to the meal, guests were given an opportunity to bid on a variety of items in two silent auctions. Following a meal of steak and shrimp prepared by Paul Woydziak and friends at the Hoisington K of C, the live auction was conducted by T.R. Esfeld with Kate Brennan as MC. By the end of the evening, over $27,000 had been raised for Kans for Kids with a portion donated to Camp Hope. A witch’s hat was passed by generous guests for Camp Hope with over $3,000 given to help the camp.
Hunter Donecker, 9, Pawnee Rock, Kans for Kids ambassador and cancer survivor, was the keynote speaker for the evening. He told his personal story of surviving liver cancer when he was three years old and his love for Kans for Kids and Camp Hope. He received a standing ovation from the crowd of very teary-eyed guests.
“We are very blessed and grateful to be surrounded by individuals and businesses with such generous and giving hearts. We’re always overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Barton County and those who travel a distance to support our events. Kans for Kids wouldn’t exist without that support,” said Debbie Reif, co-director of Kans for Kids. “We were deeply touched by the extra support for Camp Hope that we received at our auction this year.” Reif also credited the Kans for Kids Board of Directors and Anne Beck, president and  auction chairperson for their dedication and hard work in making the event a success.
Kadin White, 11-years-old, Great Bend, is currently receiving assistance from Kans for Kids. Diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2012, he is undergoing treatment in Wichita with two years remaining in his treatment.
Kans for Kids acquired Camp Hope on Aug. 1, 2013, when the American Cancer Society dropped their funding of 42 camps around the country. Camp Hope is a week-long camp held at Camp Aldrich in Barton County for any child in treatment or remission with cancer and is from Kansas or western Missouri. “This is a huge undertaking for an organization the size of Kans for Kids,” said Reif. “Gail Moeder and Dr. Bryan Wohlwend, along with the Camp Hope committee, are working so very hard to keep Camp Hope alive. It’s the biggest challenge Kans for Kids has ever met. However, with a lot of faith and hope, we know they will be successful.”
For information on Kans for Kids and Camp Hope, go to www.kans4kidsfoundation.org.