In a tradition inspired by an employee who had fought the condition, Akron Auto Auction will host its Breast Cancer Awareness sale on Tuesday, raising funds for and supporting Ohioans battling breast cancer.

The idea of hosting such an event came up about 14 years ago from an Akron employee who had faced breast cancer, as fellow auction team members realized how many lives and loved ones of their own had been impacted by the disease, according to a news release from ServNet, where Akron AA is a member.

The auction started the fundraiser to support a local cause and help Ohio families.

The fundraiser is a team effort, as sales manager Brigette Shepler, repo coordinator Laura Beth Riggs, registration manager Kalee Robinson and human resources representative Caysie Payne organize the sale.

Shepler and Robinson call dealers to ask for their support, Riggs and Payne handle the in-lane logistics.

Marketing manager Pat Tipton and digital sales manager Kayla Morrow help with promotion and event awareness.

“Without their support, we would just have ideas, not events,” said Cole Bailey, who works in marketing and promotions at Akron Auto Auction.

Dealers also play a pivotal role, making donations and proactively volunteering.

“Their enthusiasm helps make the fundraiser possible year after year,” Bailey said.

Akron is including food trucks at the event as a thank you to dealers. The sale will also including charity giveaways, including a progressive drawing to win more than $1,600.

Donors receive customer pink merchandise from the auction. Proceeds go to Drive Hope: Breast Cancer Awareness Fund of Ohio.

Donations will aid in giving practical support for those affected by breast cancer, including assistance with housing, utilities and food,  as well as services like transportation to treatment, childcare during treatment and job training for those losing a job after diagnosis.

Additionally, the fund assists with mental health services not covered by insurance, as well as treatment-related expenses.

After raising $17,900, Akron aims to raise $20,000 this year.

Sale day update at Lubbock Auto Auction

Down in Texas, in addition to celebrating 80 years as a National Auto Auction Association member, Lubbock Auto Auction announced that it is moving its sale from Thursdays to Tuesdays.

“We are very excited to make this change to better serve our customers. The demand we are seeing is tremendous, and having the first sale of the week in our market gives us an opportunity to set the standard and provide even greater service to our dealers,” owners Charles Furr and Shandyl Higgins said in a news release.

Dealer sales manager Monty Brewer added, “Our customers have been asking us to change our sale day for years, and we felt that doing it now, alongside our 80th anniversary, was the perfect timing. This move positions us to take the auction to the next level and continue building on our long history of success.”

The inaugural Tuesday sale was held last week. It included more than 200 vehicles, with more than 100 dealers participating in-lane and online.

“As a premier service provider, we listen to our customers and continually look for ways to improve our business,” Furr said. “We will continue to adapt to meet the needs of our customers, whether they are buying or selling in-lane or online.”

Lubbock Auto Auction will now host sales at 10:01 a.m. local time on Tuesdays.