Our Daily Show Interview! Fuel the Cure Dinner Auction Set for April 11th!
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EDWARDSVILLE - Stridin’ and Survivin’ will host their annual dinner auction to raise money for gas cards for cancer patients.
From 6–11 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, community members can join the organization at The Moose Lodge in Edwardsville for a night of silent auctions, oral auctions, raffles, live music and a meal. The event itself is a lot of fun, but Stridin’ and Survivin’ President Alice Bartels emphasized that the goal is to help people who are going through cancer treatment.
“This is our main event,” she shared. “Bring all your friends and family. We’d love to have a big crowd.”
Dinner runs from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Beer and soda are included in the ticket price, and there is a cash bar available.
The Dave Mendoza Band will provide entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bid on silent auction items throughout the evening. 50/50 and booze raffle winners will be announced during the band’s breaks.
Bartels is also excited for their Fuel the Cure raffle. You can buy one ticket for $5 or five for $20. The grand prize is $500. Second place receives $250 while third place receives $100.
Tickets to the event cost $30 for adults and $15 for kids ages 7–12. Kids under age 6 are free. All proceeds go toward the organization’s Fuel the Cure program, which provides gas cards to cancer patients across the country to help them get to their appointments.
Last year, the organization gave away 99 gas cards, setting a new record. So far in 2026, they have already given away 50 gas cards. Bartels noted that this indicates the need is growing as the organization expands.
She thanked the many sponsors who have contributed toward the event’s success, adding that their Fuel the Cure program is operational in large part because of these sponsors. She hopes people keep their mission in mind as they bid and enjoy the evening.
“We couldn't have carried on the gas card program at the level we are without those sponsors,” she said. “It makes you feel good to know that you’re helping these families. But it’s also nice to see the dollar amounts come in. Hopefully people are bidding to help the cause and not to find something cheap. If our bidders are doing well, that means our gas card program is going to be able to continue.”
The night is meant to be a fun experience for families and friends to enjoy together while supporting a great cause. Bartels noted that they often welcome the loved ones of patients, including a few who are currently undergoing treatment and others who have passed away. These guests are especially meaningful for the members of Stridin’ and Survivin’, most of whom have a personal connection to cancer and recovery.
If you can’t make it on April 11, there are other opportunities to support the cause. Stridin’ and Survivin’ will participate in the Hamel Community Yard Sale on May 16, 2026. They accept donations from community members and sell these items at the Hamel Community Building, with proceeds going back to their programs.
The organization will receive a percentage of profits from ticket sales to the Grizzlies game on Aug. 16, 2026. Their annual Shop the Town Pink Vendor Fair is also scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, in Edwardsville. All of these events are ways to support the Stridin’ and Survivin’ mission.
For more information about Stridin’ and Survivin’, including how to purchase your tickets for the Fuel the Cure Dinner Auction, visit their official website. You can also donate online or contact info@stridinandsurvivin.org for more information.
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