OTWAY - Brenda Hoople moved away to Florida. While there, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. After the diagnosis, she came back to her native Scioto County for a second opinion at Southern Ohio Medical Center and has been battling cancer in recent months.

The community of Otway gathered in Otway School Saturday for an auction and dinner to raise money to help defray Hoople's medical costs.

“She is quite a success story. She has done very well there (SOMC),” said Stephanie Redoutey, one of the organizers. “And she's doing great.”

Redoutey said the Otway community is known for helping when someone is in need.

“It was easy to put this together, she is just a very special special person,” she said. “A lot of the community came together to do it for her.”

Redoutey said the auction went well.

“I'd say we've had a hundred, a hundred and fifty-plus,” she said.

The items auctioned were donated by citizens from all over the Otway area and included household items, handmade crafts, antiques and some electronics.

“Nothing has been purchased through any of it, including the food,” Redoutey said. “Everything has been donated from the community.”

Teresa Seaman was busy with another part of the event, the Chinese auction.

“What we're doing is we're selling tickets - one ticket for $1, or six tickets for $5 - and we have lots and lots of different items donated,” Seaman said. “Anywhere from a Gerber knife, which all the men want, to baskets with good stuff. Sporadically throughout the day, we are drawing them and the person whose name is drawn wins.”

Redoutey said the auction and dinner will be the only fundraiser to benefit Hoople, but donations to her fund may be made by calling Redoutey at (937) 403-8058.