GENEVA — The Geneva Cancer Auction will continue to be around for years to come because no matter who’s running the auction, it’s a community effort.

Longtime organizers Dwayne “Whitey” and LaJune Hagen are helping Jim and Vicki Manges learn the ropes of the cancer auction that’s in its 27th year.

Whitey said the money raised so far has been beyond anything they’d hoped for. Last year the cancer auction reached the $1 million mark. He said they never set out with a specific goal in mind.

“We always strived to make as much money as we could,” Whitey said.

He said the people who come to the auction love it as much as the organizers do. One Geneva couple, Roger and Bonnie Shaunce, have been to the cancer auction every year since it started in 1985.

“It’s just fun to be here and buy things,” Roger said.

He and Bonnie said they’ve had friends and family members who have passed away from cancer, which is why they like to support the auction.

Whitey said more than 90 percent of funds raised go to cancer research, because they try to keep expenses low. All money raised goes through the Albert Lea Eagles to the Eagles Cancer Telethon based out of Rochester. The money is then distributed to the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Cancer Research, the University of Minnesota and the Hormel Institute.

Donated items come from people and businesses all over Freeborn County and southern Minnesota. Many people donate and buy items from the auction, essentially giving twice to the cause. Some people even bring things in last minute, like homemade soup or blankets.

“People are here because they care about their fellow people,” Whitey said. “It’s definitely a community effort.”

The auction runs four days because they receive so many donated items. It started Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Geneva Bar & Grill, and continued at 2 p.m. Saturday. The auction is also held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.

“There’s no way we could sell everything in one day,” Vicki said.

Vicki said the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders will attend the last auction day Jan. 15, and raffle items will also be drawn those days. Raffle tickets are still available for $5 and the prizes include a 50-inch plasma HDTV and cash prizes.

The Geneva Wild Game Feed, held the first Saturday in December, gave a $17,000 check to the cancer auction Friday night. Whitey said people often don’t want recognition for helping at the auction, and Vicki agreed that most are there just to help the cause.

“They’re just here to fight cancer,” Vicki said.