Small Auction, Big Impact: Family Donates $20,000 To Cancer Research

ARCHER LODGE, N.C. – A longtime Johnston County family tradition reached a major milestone Sunday as the Beasley-Johnson Family Reunion surpassed $20,000 in donations to cancer research.

Family members gathered June 7 at the Archer Lodge Community Building for the reunion’s 53rd year, continuing a tradition that began in 1971 as a birthday celebration and has since grown into an annual family gathering spanning multiple generations.

Along with sharing home-cooked meals and catching up with relatives, family members celebrated another achievement. Thanks to a post-lunch auction that has become a reunion staple, the family exceeded the $20,000 mark in contributions to the American Cancer Society.

The auction began years ago as a way to help cover the cost of renting a reunion venue and purchasing supplies such as cups, plates and other necessities. Family members donate a wide variety of items for the sale, including handmade quilts, crafts, plants, baked goods and household items.

As the auction continued to grow, it began generating more money than was needed to cover reunion expenses. Family members decided to donate the surplus to cancer research, a cause that holds personal meaning for many in the family.

For the past two decades, the family has contributed approximately $1,000 annually. When the 2025 donation brought the total to almost $20,000, family members set their sights on surpassing the milestone during this year’s reunion.

One family member said the auction has become one of the most anticipated parts of the gathering.

“It may seem like an insignificant thing, but over time, all these small donated items add up,” the family member said. “And to be honest, it has made the reunion much more fun. People used to disappear not long after lunch, but now they stay for hours. Anything that keeps family together a little longer is a good thing.”

Another family member reflected on the progress made in cancer treatment over the years and the importance of continuing research efforts.

“A cancer diagnosis today is not the same as it was 25 or 30 years ago,” the family member said. “I know it seems painfully slow, but they are making progress. We have many family members here today that are cancer survivors. Any small step forward is good — and even small contributions matter.”

The reunion has been held at several locations over the years, including family homes in Johnston County. As attendance grew, the gathering eventually moved to the Archer Lodge Community Building, which provides the space needed for the expanding event.

Family members said they hope their story serves as a reminder that even small acts of generosity, repeated year after year, can make a meaningful impact.

What started as a birthday celebration more than five decades ago has become a lasting family tradition — one that has strengthened family bonds while helping support the fight against cancer.