Tom Tuttle Sr. and Jo Lemon were named the 2012 Heroes for the Cause for the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund on Saturday. The two were recognized Saturday at the annual KCCCF Gala.

Tuttle, formerly of Syracuse and now of Indianapolis, and Lemon, Warsaw, began their volunteer efforts in the county to raise funds for cancer. They first helped the American Cancer Society – from 1986 to 1999 – which raised over $1.5 million. Then, feeling a need to help those at home suffering financial burdens while fighting the disease, they started assisting the KCCCF and helped raise an additional $1.6 million through 2011 and distributing $1.5 million to Kosciusko County residents.

Tuttle spoke of how the organization was formed, those involved, and the learning of how to raise funds. He left the committee a multiple page guide he used to raise the funds during the early onset of the fundraising.

Lemon fashioned the volunteers as a team, Team Hope, a group with no leader, no playing field, just use of time, talent and funds to raise money needed. She also recalled the three renown sportscasters who participated in fundraising events: Chris Schenkel, Hilliard Gates and Bill Fowler, all of whom died from cancer.