Through the generosity of customers, volunteers and staff members, Who Next Bar in Aurora, Wis. was able to raise $10,002 for the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet during their second annual benefit held on Sept. 20. From left are Wendy DeClark, owner of Who’s Next; Diane Schabo, cancer closet president; and Janis Norman, Who’s Next employee. (Submitted photo)

AURORA, Wis. — Who’s Next Bar in Aurora raised $10,002 for the Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet with a benefit Sept. 20 at the bar.

Owner Wendy DeClark had set a goal of raising $10,000 and was happy to have met it.

“I couldn’t have done this without our customers. We have the greatest customers and they are so generous, not only by buying tickets but donating baskets and cash as well,” DeClark said.

She also said it would not have been possible without the help she received from her staff. “I have a great staff,” she added.

DeClark is currently still getting her health back to normal after being diagnosed with slow-growing lung cancer in the spring. She completed her treatments this summer and is now in remission.

DeClark hosted her first cancer benefit last year with breast cancer survivor Robin Krueger, and they raised more than $5,000.

They had numerous baskets, some worth several hundred dollars; Green Bay Packers tickets; a “booze wagon”; and 50/50 drawings.

“Cancer touches so many people, so it’s really great to be able to help the cancer closet,” she said.

The Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet in Kingsford is an entirely volunteer organization that relies on donations. They provide medical equipment at no charge to cancer and non-cancer clients in Dickinson County plus Aurora, Florence, Niagara and Spread Eagle in Wisconsin.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.