ST. MARYS, OH (WLIO) -Â The 15th and final annual St. Marys Tailgate hopes to break their goal of $2 million raised to fight cancer. Every fall, college football fans have gathered to enjoy a full day of silent and live auctions, performances by local musicians, competitions, and games on the big screen leading up to Ohio State's kickoff.
Money raised by the tailgate has been donated to several different organizations to help find the cure and support those diagnosed with cancer. The growth of the event each year is partly because nearly everyone has had their lives impacted by the disease in one way or another.
"I mean, it started in the backyard, in Traci's backyard, and I think in the first year they raised like $2,000 or $5,000. Our goal this year is to reach the $2 million mark. We're at $1.7 million, a little bit over that. So if we could get to that little tundra and push it just a little bit over, we'd love to be able to go out on a good note," said Renee Lauth, the marketing coordinator for the St. Marys Tailgate.
Some activities of the day are named in honor of someone who has been lost to cancer, like the 5K at the opening of the tailgate.
"A few years ago, one of our tailgate members, Jean Sheaks, passed away, so the tailgate 5K is in memory of Jean Sheaks. Each year we're just humbled that the community and the surrounding communities come together to support this cause. It's very near and dear to our hearts, our grandma passed away from cancer, and we have many family members and friends who have," said the 5k committee, Lyndsey Powell and Kara Collins.
The nonprofit organization St. Marys Tailgate for Cancer will continue to host multiple fundraisers throughout the year other than the fall event.
