Knoxville — Dedication and generosity of many community members has led to the collection of approximately $6,000 eight days before the actual event. That total will be higher, as several activities and events will be held, and 250 silent auction items sold at Knoxville's Coaches vs. Cancer event on Saturday, Jan. 21. 

"It has exploded," Knoxville Varsity Girls' Basketball Coach and Coaches vs. Cancer frontman Jim Uitermarkt said this morning. As one can see from the attached lists, the items vary. 

Though the color associated with the event, pink, is rarely mentioned in the same sentence as hunting, there are many hunting items. This is due to local hunting enthusiast and Hormel Plant Manager Troy Hawkshead. A hunting enthusiast himself, Hawkshead has reached out into his community for several donations, including youth bows, a gift certificate for a deer head mount and more. 

Members of the girls' basketball team itself set out for a trip to Des Moines recently, to seek donations from that area's largest retailers. They came back with a full load, including a pearl necklace from Helzberg's Diamond. 

"Every year, our girls are doing more," Uitermarkt said. Though Hawkshead and the team members were pointed out, it can easily be seen that there are dozens of people and businesses who have done their part to try to make the silent auction a success. 

Last year, Knoxville raised over $24,000 through its Coaches vs. Cancer event, with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. This event made the most money of any Coaches vs. Cancer activity in the Midwest last year. 

Before the day of Coaches vs. Cancer 2011, nearly $7,000 had been raised through cash donations and other activities. With eight days to go before Coaches vs. Cancer 2012, Uitermarkt is optimistic that amount may be reached again. 

The nearly $6,000 raised thus far have come from cash donations, t-shirt orders and a new event for 2012, "Strike Out Cancer." This bowling fundraiser, started by basketball manager Katie Utterback, raised nearly $1,100. Uitermarkt was impressed by this total for an event in its first year. 

Another new event for 2012 is Laps for Hope. As of this morning, there were 66 swimmers registered to do their part to raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer. Some of them have other events going on during the day, and Laps for Hope will begin at 6 a.m. at the Knoxville Recreation Center on Jan. 21. 

Uitermarkt mentioned that one swimmer, a seventh grade student of his, plans to raise at least $300 by herself. She sought pledges, and the requests were included with her family's Christmas cards this year. 

Basketball player Katie Cunningham took the reins for the annual alumni basketball tournament, which has traditionally accompanied Coaches vs. Cancer. Uitermarkt praised her efforts in organizing the event, including reaching out to alumni through various means. The alumni tournament will begin at 11 a.m. Jan. 21, with a women's six-on-six basketball game at the Knoxville High School gymnasium. Though the schedule has not been finalized, Uitermarkt said tentatively, a five-on-five women's game will follow, with at least three men's games as the day progresses. The tournament should be over by 4 p.m. 

The Knoxville Booster Club will have concessions for sale throughout the tournament and the Coaches vs. Cancer game. At 4:45, a supper by Steve Coon will begin to be served. 

High school games begin at 5:15 p.m. , with the Junior Varsity boys hosting Chariton. This will be followed by the Varsity boys and then the girls. The girls' team will don their pink uniforms once again. Uitermarkt said Chariton's coaches are aware of the event, but is not sure if they will participate in the wearing of the pink. 

During the game, fans will have the opportunity to purchase pink hair extensions, feathers and ribbons. A memorial wall, in which everyone can share the names of cancer victims they know or have known, will be on display. Two local cancer survivors, Lynne Edwards and Terri Gotta, will be honored. 

Those who have purchased raffle tickets have the opportunity to be selected during the varsity halftimes to attempt to win a Knoxville Raceway pace truck, courtesy of Pella Motors. Any person who can make a layup, free throw, three-pointer and a half-court shot in 25 seconds wins a car. 

Another raffle item to be given away at the event is a quilt, handcrafted by local quilters. Tickets for both of these raffles will be for sale that day. 

Pizza Hut in Knoxville, for the past several weeks, has donated $1 from every buffet it has sold Tuesday through Thursday evenings. The final night for this donation is Thursday, Jan. 19. 

Uitermarkt is grateful for all of the donations and hard work everyone involved has put into Coaches vs. Cancer thus far. Cash donations are still being accepted, and can be dropped off at the middle school during school hours or brought into the high school the day of the event. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of Coaches vs. Cancer, which, over the past few years, has become a proud Knoxville tradition. 

Tentative schedule: 

6 a.m.-Laps for Hope begins, will continue throughout the day.

11 a.m.-Alumni basketball tournament begins, as well as the silent auction and concession stand.

4:45 p.m.-Suppers begin to be served.

5:15 p.m.-Junior Varsity boys take the court, followed by the Varsity boys and girls as the night goes on. 

8:20 p.m.-Silent auction will begin to be closed. The size of the auction has dictated that it be ended in sections. 

Look to the Journal-Express and www.journalexpress.net for the best coverage of Coaches vs. Cancer.