The leaves are turning, and all things pumpkin are popping up around every corner. With the changing of the seasons, Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) is preparing for their annual Fall Extravaganza fundraiser.

This year’s event will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Plains VFW. The event is aimed at raising money for CNSC, which provides financial aid to Sanders County residents currently undergoing treatment for cancer. When the group formed in 2001, they provided one-time gifts of $50 to cancer patients in the county. In 17 years, they have grown to the point of now the organization gives annual gifts of $900.

Kathy Miller with CNSC says the ability to give annual gifts of this amount is depending on having a generous crowd at their events. “As the amount of money we raise increases, so does the gifts we give,” Miller said. “If for some reason, the amount of money we raise goes down, so will the amount of money we can distribute. So far, that has never happened.”

Entertainment for this year’s event will be provided by local musicians Fire Creek Band. The event will include dinner, refreshments, entertainment, games, raffles, silent auction items and a live auction featuring Kevin Hill of Kevin Hill Auction Services.

Miller reported that there are a wide variety of items in the silent and live auctions ranging from baskets to Griz/Cat football and Griz/Cat double-header basketball tickets to special t-shirts, baked goods, snow shoes and “a very special Alaskan working sled hand made by an Alaskan Eskimo Native. There is bound to be something special for everyone.”

The Fall Extravaganza is the main fundraiser for CNSC. Miller said that any Sanders County resident currently undergoing treatment for cancer can find a form at financial institutions, medical clinics and a variety of other offices throughout the county, fill it out, and send it to CNSC to receive their annual gift. She noted that because the gifts are available annually, people need to apply each time they request assistance.

Tickets for the Fall Extravaganza can be purchased at Garden Gift in Plains, D&D Liquor in Thompson Falls, or at the door. The ticket will be $25 per person, which can be claimed as a donation to CNSC since all the expenses for the evening will be underwritten by numerous sponsors. Attendees must be 21 for the event. Miller says people should come prepared for a good time.