Pictured, from left, first row (seated), Pat Perry, Diana Powell, Lisa Tucker; second row, Lori Miller, Angie Black, Linda Heighway, Amy Murphy, Trillia Gearhart, Buni Leininger; third row, Linda Tucker, Alton Perry, Pastor Butch Troke; not pictured, Rob & Karen Clark, Bill Leininger, Hannah Parker, Erica Snyder & Lois VanOsdol.

AKRON — The Wheels on Fire Cancer Crusaders is hosting a Smash Out Cancer event from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Akron Community Center, located at 815 Rural Street, Akron.

Wheels on Fire is a mission of the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church in Akron. The group’s goal is to raise funds to support the Kosciusko County and Fulton County cancer care funds.

The Wheels on Fire team has been together for fourteen years. In 2004, their first year together, their team raised $2,200  In 2005 they raised $3,100. Each year the numbers have gone up, with over $11,000 being raised in their most recent event.

In 2011, they decided that the team needed a name so they held a contest at church. Pat Hoffman submitted the winning suggestion of Wheels on Fire, taken from the movie “Chariots of Fire.” Linda Heighway joined Linda Tucker in co- leadership during the 2011 year because the team was increasing in size and there were many details to take care of.

Amy Murphy and Lori Miller took over the team during the 2017 year after Linda Tucker and Linda Highway requested new, younger leadership.

The community is invited to attend the Smash Out Cancer event at the Akron Community Center. The event will include the following competitions:

The event will conclude with a ‘Light Up Your Life’ ceremony at 9 p.m. in honor of those who are fighting or have fought cancer. Those wishing to participate can purchase a decorated bag or sky lantern. Forms are available from any team member.

For more information call Lori Miller at (574) 551-4687, Linda Heighway at (574) 353-7748 or Linda tucker at (574) 491-3751.