Each year the American Cancer Society hosts a dinner to honor distinguished volunteers, fundraisers, or survivors whose public efforts have strengthened the American Cancer Society or inspired others to join in the fight against cancer.

This year honorees are:

Business Spotlight goes to Zimmerman’s Dairy which has been on the board longer than most can remember. Tommy Zimmerman personally turns out at many events to show his support and share his good humor with everyone working for and contributing to the cause. In the last few years, Zimmerman’s has sponsored the Fight Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon campaign, a new fundraiser that raises thousands.

Volunteer Extreme Award: Sue Urban volunteers with daffodils, raft race, basket raffle and Mudflaps dances. She does it all and enlists others to join her in making these events a success. Her commitment is strong, her enthusiasm is infectious. Her basic approach to all of it is simple: “Can Do.”

Generation Next Award: Anthony and Dominic Farole. For 42 years the name Danny Farole was synonymous with the American Cancer Society Telethon. As Danny headed through his 70s and 80s toward age 90, he and everyone wondered what the future held. Over the years, family members appeared with Danny, representing multiple generations of the family. Grandsons Anthony and Dominic distinguished themselves by lovingly aiding Danny to keep up his Sunday evening musical tradition in the final years, while also starting to make parts of Telethon Sunday in their own image.

Robert E. Ames Cancer Fighter Award goes to Tom McCarroll. Facing adversity recently, McCarroll kept up all his community benefit activities - beyond the cancer society - to benefit the community and local families. McCarroll is being recognized with the Cancer Fighter Award at dinner, and the Courage Award on Telethon in the same year.

James J. Rhoades Award for Outstanding School Participation goes to the Marian High School Relay for Life Team. The Relay for Life has been rained out for three years in a row. Undaunted, one relay team never gave up. They raised money, showed up, walked, and had fun.

The Patricia A. Haughton Award for Exceptional Service goes to Rose Mikulski, who works on most local events, selling tickets, greeting performers, working daffodils.

Bud Wychulis Memorial Award goes to Jay Smar. In the hours before Danny Farole appeared on the very first American Cancer Society Telethon, Smar appeared. He is the entertainer who has appeared for more years than any other.

The dinner is Sunday, March 24 at Chantilly’s Restaurant and Banquet Hall, 15 Berkley Road, Barnesville. Reservations due by March 16. Call 570-573-2807 to reserve a seat.

The annual cancer telethon will be held April 6 and 7, broadcast live from Penn’s Peak. Other fundraisers in March include the daffodil and tulip sale and the basket auction on March 17.

Visit http://cancertelethon.org/ for more information.