The Doors of EnCOURAGEment is celebrating its 11^th anniversary! Founded by Melody Couchman, The Doors of EnCOURAGEment is a display of beautifully created doors that you’ve undoubtedly noticed while driving or walking through Downtown Bellefontaine. Yet, these doors represent so much more than just a fun, pretty sight to see.

Specifically, these doors have been sponsored and/or created by individuals, groups, organizations, churches, businesses, and friends in support of the Logan County Cancer Society. The initial goals of the Doors of EnCOURAGEment were not only to raise funds but to also make people aware of the existence of and the assistance available through the Logan County Cancer Society.

Additionally, it was important for Couchman to further distinguish that the American Cancer Society and the Logan County Cancer Society are two very separate and distinct entities with separate missions–neither one funding the other.

While the doors are most definitely art and created by artists, most of the people who have created doors don’t really consider themselves artists, but regular, everyday people who like creating and are willing to do so.

Though many of the doors on display do honor cancer patients, the doors don’t necessarily have to be cancer-related. The only requirement is that the message spread is a positive one. After all, anyone and everyone can benefit from a kind word or image, right?

The doors will be on display for a few weeks throughout Downtown Bellefontaine and then sold at a public auction event.

To date, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised, with nearly 1,000 doors created. The best part? All proceeds have benefitted Logan County residents who have received a cancer diagnosis. Assistance has been given via fuel, medications, supplies, wigs, prosthetics, and emergency assistance funds.

The only criterion for receiving assistance is that the person has received a cancer diagnosis and currently resides in Logan County.

The displays officially began popping up downtown on August 2^nd, and they will remain up until August 27^th, before being moved to the Logan County Fairgrounds for a public auction. The auction takes place on Sunday, August 28^th, at 6 PM. During that time, any community member will be offered the opportunity to bid on the doors.

Interested in partaking? There’s still plenty of time to do so!

Get your family, friends, and/or co-workers together, and then let your creative juices flow! To participate, there is a $200 donation fee (per door) to the Logan County Cancer Society, which is 100 percent tax deductible. For the auction, the doors will become the property of the LCCS, and then the property will transfer to the highest bidder following the auction.

Doors are available at no extra charge. Or, if you prefer, you can supply your own door. The rules are simple: Be respectful of the cause, finish both sides of the door, the door must fit in the base provided, and the door needs to be able to withstand the weather for the duration of the event.

So . . . Decorate, paint, embellish, create, and have a lot of fun! Remember, your imagination is the only restriction. If you have any questions, concerns, or want to inquire about picking up a door, please click here! We look forward to seeing your artistic side. And, of course, thank you so much for supporting an amazing cause!