Some Sedalia friends have banded together to ensure 32-year-old Kassie Wehmeyer, a single mother of two, doesn't have to stress as she goes through 16 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Kelsey Ehlers, Christina Crook, and Susan Dawson-Parnell, the owner of Custom Auto, have created a benefit, "Kick it with Kass" Auto Meet, that will be hosted Saturday, June 17 in downtown Sedalia. South Ohio Avenue will be blocked off from Third to Sixth streets, and the event will host the auto meet, a live auction, music, food, and a gun raffle.
On Thursday, Crook noted the families go way back, with Wehmeyer's father, David, being her softball coach when she was 6.
"I grew up playing softball with them," she added. "And David coached me up into high school."
Crook said Weymeyer, of Sedalia, has two children, Howard "Howie" Lee Johnson, 2, and Karley Weymeyer, 13. She received her pharmacy studies degree and worked at the Bothwell Regional Health Center Walk-In Clinic when she became sick. Due to her cancer diagnosis, she is on a leave of absence.
The event is a car meet instead of a car show.
"Because we're not judging rides," Crook explained. "We want it more about Kassie and not to lose focus in the midst of a competition."
Each vehicle will have a donation bucket where people can vote on their favorite ride. The ride with the most money will win a People's Choice trophy.
The benefit will also have a bounce house, donated by Arial Netz with Buckaroos' Bounce House, cotton candy set up with T.J. Wiseman of Fuzzy Gourmet Cotton Candy, and face painting with Angie Keele with Two-Bit Barbershop.
The Sedalia Fire Department is bringing a firetruck for the children to see, and Deputy Jimmy Moore with the Pettis County Sheriff's Office will be there with K-9 Cav. Sheriff Brad Anders donated the department's dunk tank. Entertainment will include the Clay Clear Band on the patio at Fitter's 5th Street Pub.
Ehlers said many volunteers are providing food and grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for the event.
"Volker's has donated their kettle chips to us," she added. "Polly Walters from Sonic has donated all the buns that we'll need and the ice."
Crook said there is no charge to enter the Auto Meet, but donations are "welcomed and appreciated."
The women talked about the thoughtfulness of their friend Wehmeyer, who coached soccer and played on a softball team, noting how she's been involved in the community.
"She and her family have always been heavily involved in the community," Ehlers said. "Her and her family do so much for the kids and sports in this community.
"The biggest thing that we take away from this is cancer doesn't discriminate," she continued. "No one ever thinks this will happen to us or someone we love until it does. I can't imagine going through it by myself, let alone with two young kids."
Crook said Wehmeyer is always smiling, laughing, and dancing.
"The girl lights up a room," Crook added. "She really does."
Ehlers noted her friend is a "big bubble of energy."
"She'll talk to anybody," Ehlers added. "She's just great, and someone like that has to go through all of that."
They both agreed that although Wehmeyer is battling cancer, she inspires everyone.
"It's almost inspiring because if anybody can beat something like this and get through it with a smile on her face … it's going to be somebody like her," Ehlers noted.
The benefit "Kick it with Kass" Auto Meet will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in downtown Sedalia. For more about the event information or to donate, call Ehlers at 660-281-7332.
Faith Bemiss can be reached at 660-530-0289 or on Twitter @flbemiss.
