WHEELER EARNS MAJOR AWARD

Every once in a while, life throws you an opportunity that allows you to not only give back but also to recognize one of your friends for their outstanding contributions to the world. One such opportunity presented itself this year during one of my annual cancer benefit auctions when I was asked to help present Dan Wheeler, CEA, of Wheeler Machinery Sales, Inc. and MDNA’s First Vice President, as this year’s recipient of the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation’s “Never Be Defeated” award on Saturday July 15th, 2023, during their annual Barndance in Woodstock, IL. This award is earned by demonstrating an incredibly positive outlook under extreme circumstances and by greatly inspiring others to help them survive cancer.
 
Travelling to be in attendance to help Dan celebrate this award, which was a surprise to him was Dan’s wife Gina, daughter Sara, my wife Kimmy, and MDNA & AMEA’s Bob Yeoman, Michael Ackerman, and his friends from the Testicular Cancer Foundation.
 
The Barndance is a 7-hour volunteer run party that draws crowds in excess of 2,000 people to Woodstock, IL, for great BBQ, a ton of raffles, a live auction & awesome bands. The goal being to raise money to help raise cancer awareness through education & screenings, improving cancer care for local residents, & raising funds for cancer research. It really is the area’s best 7-hours of summer every year.
 
When the call came, I was honored and humbled to help present such a major award to one of the best humans I know. I called a lot of Dan’s friends in the MDNA, as well as his family for help in giving the presentation a fun roast-type presentation rather than a typical dry formal presentation, and yes, big Dan cried…. The question then becomes, what kind of award do you present to your friend upon such a huge honor? I’m not a trophy plague-giving guy, I prefer more personalized tokens so for Dan, I quietly presented him with a 5-pound brass nut that I engraved myself.
 
Anyone that knows Dan understands his passion for life, his willingness to help anyone, and his total dedication to his family. If you don’t know Dan, make it a point to meet him at a chapter meeting or convention, his fire for life is energizing & motivating, I am happy to call him my friend.
 
This year’s Barndance raised $524,532 dollars for the fight!!

Jake Josko, C.E.A.
Vice President of Global Sales
Direct:  312.841.9600
Cell:      224.230.5922
 




 
 
 

---