NEWS

Cake Auction has raised more than $4 million

Hayden Kull
Reporter

ZANESVILLE - The Carr Center celebrated its 60th year in Muskingum County this week by bringing in about $120,000 with its 30th annual cake auction to support the services it provides to the community.

Margaret Johnson and Beulah Harper serve cake at the 30th Carr Center's Cake Auction.

Kim Hosler, executive director of the Carr Center, said the auction might have brought in less money than last year but that isn't discouraging because it's still for a great cause.

"It's a win every single year," Hosler said. "The number is relevant because we feel like we are quietly changing the lives of people in the community."

Foxfire High School volunteers Tammy Porter, right, and senior Morgan Ross lift a cake onto a cart at the Carr Center Cake Auction at Colony Square Mall on Friday. The school had 30 student volunteers at the cake auction during its two-day run.

The event brought in $7,000 in its first year, but it now has raised more than $4 million in 30 years.

Nearly 400 cakes and incentives sponsored by local individuals and businesses were auctioned off Thursday and Friday, with some donors doubling or tripling incentives to encourage more people to bid, Hosler said.

Hosler said there were about 30 more cakes and incentives auctioned off this year than last year.

Volunteer Noelle Jarrett of Century National Bank writes down a bid for a cake below balloon celebrating the Carr Center's 30th anniversary this year during the Center's annual Cake Auction on Friday.

Between 200 and 300 people volunteered to help with the event, Hosler said. What most people see is volunteers working the front of the auction, but many more are ensuring the event runs smoothly behind the scenes, she said. And there are people who volunteer solely for feeding the rest of the volunteers.

Margaret Johnson has been volunteering at the cake auction for almost 20 years because she believes in what the auction stands for.

"The cake auction is something that helps the community, and I enjoy helping all the people involved," Johnson said.

Dorbie Littick and Ron Bucci were honored for their years of involvement with the auction.

Hosler said Littick was pivotal for the cake auction's creation because she was in a position of leadership and helped it take off.

"Ron came on board and has led the auction team, and he knows how to reach the community," Hosler said. "He's such a remarkable person."

Stoey Stout talks during the radio broadcast of the Carr Center Cake Auction on Friday.

Funds raised from the cake auction provide one-third of the Carr Center's operating revenue every year allowing it to continue serving county residents old and young, with or without disabilities. It subsidizes many services, Hosler said, including the adult day program and speech therapy for children.

"We were as strong as last year," Hosler said. "We had tremendous community support, and we have nothing to critize because this is just a gift to us."

hkull@gannett.com

740-450-6772

Twitter: @haydenkull5

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Thursday

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  • 3rd Zanesville Times Recorder, baked by Shala Stottsberry

Friday

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  • 2nd Julie's ARTery, baked by Erica Van Reeth
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