Donlen Corp., in partnership with 27 auto auctions nationwide, raised $102,000 for the One Step At A Time program, a summer camp experience for children with cancer conducted by the Children's Oncology Services of Illinois, Inc. At the check presentation in Rosemont, Ill. (left to right): Tom Stewart, a partner with TPC Management; Pauline Pons; Gary Rappeport, Donlen president and CEO; Pierre Pons, president of TPC Management; Nora McDonald, a One Step At A Time camper; Jacob Drescher, executive director of Children's Oncology Services, Inc.; and Layne Weber, Donlen vice president of remarketing and administrative services.

NORTHBROOK, IL – Donlen Corp., in partnership with 27 auto auctions nationwide, presented a check for $102,000 to the One Step at a Time program, a summer camp experience for children with cancer and leukemia conducted by the Children's Oncology Services of Illinois, Inc., a not-for-profit charitable organization.

The amount was a more than 60-percent increase over last year and almost four times the amount of the fundraiser’s first year in 2004, due in large part to the participation of auctions no matter their affiliation. “This is a unique event because it’s the only one that brings together all of the major auction companies to support one cause,” according to Layne Weber, Donlen vice president of remarketing and administrative services.

The One Step at a Time program is a supportive environment for children who have been diagnosed with leukemia or other forms of cancer. Attending the One Step at a Time camp enables them to spend two weeks with other children who are facing similar challenges. Not only are they made comfortable as they participate in camp activities, they can communicate with others who understand what they are going through, all under the watchful guidance of an all-volunteer medical, counseling, and administrative staff.

Many of the participating auctions began individual fundraising efforts as early as last September, and throughout the month of March, the auctions sold sports memorabilia and donated merchandise and other items in conjunction with Donlen vehicles. Donations given directly by some dealers supplemented the money raised.

For the third consecutive year, TPC Management Company helped Donlen coordinate the effort, working with the independent auctions, ADESA, Manheim, and CoPart to raise funds.

Participating auctions included ADESA Atlanta, ADESA Birmingham, ADESA Cincinnati-Dayton, ADESA Kansas City, ADESA Knoxville, ADESA Sacramento, ADESA Tampa, ADESA Tulsa, ADESA Washington, D.C., and ADESA Wisconsin, as well as Brasher's Cascade, Central Massachusetts, Indiana, Lonestar, Mountain State, and PADE. Manheim locations included Colorado, Dallas-Fort Worth, Lauderdale-Miami, Mississippi, Northstar, Greater Phoenix, St. Louis, Southern California, Statesville, Texas Hobby, and Utah.