Zanesville Cake Auction Reaches $5M Goal

ZANESVILLE, Ohio–The sweet spirit of giving was on full display in Zanesville as the annual Carr Center Cake Auction wrapped up with a record-breaking success.

This year’s auction helped the Carr Center reach a total of $5m raised over the past 39 years. A cascade of balloons dropped from the ceiling, marking the celebration which brings together local bakers, businesses, and volunteers, raises money for the Carr Center—a nonprofit that provides vital programs to the community.

“Dee said I’ve got a fundraiser that’s going to rock Zanesville’s world, and it did. We’re gonna reach the $5 million mark this afternoon. How awesome and we started that little,” Cake Auction Co-Founder DeeDee Dodson said.

What started as a small community fundraiser raising only 600 dollars the first year has now grown into one of the area’s most beloved traditions. The originator of the cake auction made a special trip in from out of town just to witness the milestone moment firsthand, celebrating how far the event has come.

“I felt like we needed something where everybody got something from it. The merchants get a lot of advertisement, excitement, competition that every merchant loves and then [people] their name is heard when they’re bidding. They’re so appreciated for what they’re giving, everybody gets to come out and look at these gorgeous art,” Cake Auction Founder Dee Martin said. 

This year’s Cake Auction raised $138,000 which will go directly toward programs like therapy, job training, and daily support services—making a difference in the lives of hundreds of families.