Car dealerships donate to the fight against cancer

Once again, portions of one-month vehicle sales at Oconee dealerships are going to the fight against cancer. The beneficiary is the breast care center at the Oconee Memorial Hospital. This year’s donation is $35 thousand, raised by Lake Keowee Ford and Lake Keowee Dodge Ram. This year the efforts, led by Mark Williams, were joined by Chris Smith’s Harley Davidson dealership in Greenville. Eight years ago, after watching members of his family battle cancer, Williams became motivated and started an annual effort to set aside $100 dollars from the October sales of vehicles at his dealerships. This year’s donation is a record-setter, eight thousand higher than last year. “Wow. Awesome,” was the reaction from Oconee Memorial’s Cortni Nations, after Williams revealed the donation during a ceremony this morning. Nations’ colleague Hunter Kome said what the Ford and Dodge dealerships do for the hospital is invaluable. Among Williams’ family members afflicted by cancer: his sister, then 28 years old, and his mother Marsha Williams of Simpsonville, who took part in the announcement.