Nearly everyone has had their life touched by cancer, and that fact hits home with the staff of BOCO CrossFit and Fitness Unlimited in Washington.

Former employee Robin Clarke and club member Pam Black fought valiantly against the disease before losing the battle; likewise several other Fitness members are either undergoing treatment for the disease or are cancer survivors themselves.

To honor those in the fight against cancer, the first-ever BOCO Strong Ball is planned for Jan. 12 at Southern Acres of Bath.

The event has sold out, but organizer Manny Vidal is hoping local businesses will pitch in by donating items for a silent auction held in conjunction with the ball.

“This is a way to get everyone together and give back to the community,” said Vidal, BOCO

CrossFit director. “The more items we have for the auction, the better.”

Vidal is currently reaching out for donations, which can include local artwork, handcrafted jewelry, gift baskets, services and gift certificates. Fitness Unlimited has stepped up by offering memberships and personalized training sessions. Club members have even pitched in by donating time-share vacations for the auction.

Anyone wishing to donate is asked to do so by Jan. 9.

Local businesses have been especially generous in providing funding for the ball, according to Vidal. The list of sponsors includes Vidant Beaufort, Flatlands Insurance Group, Village Pawn, Executive Personnel Group, Capt. Joe Sizemore, Landscaping Unlimited, Enchanted Gardens of Bath, Market Street Pub, Complete Filtration Services, B.E. Singleton, Blue Water Dental and Main Street Cabinets.

Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for the event.

Festivities the evening of the ball will include music by The Embers featuring Craig

Woolard, dancing and dinner catered by Yankee Hall Plantation.

“It’s a get together, a fundraiser, and something different to do,” Vidal said.

Such close ties to patients diagnosed with cancer makes the Shepard Foundation’s purpose especially important, according to Vidal.

“This just seems like the right thing to do,” he said. “The last good memories I have of Robin and Pam before they passed were the fundraisers we did for them. I want to keep those happy memories alive.”

For more information about the BOCO Strong Ball or to donate items for the silent auction, contact Manny Vidal at 252-975-7400.