GENEVA — Even under new ownership, Geneva Bar & Grill will host the 31st Geneva Cancer Auction.

Albert Lea natives Greg and Chelsea Hanson took over the bar from Barb and Jack Kuchenbecker Nov. 17. Chelsea said during the transition, the Kuchenbeckers stayed on to help as long as they were needed and made the ownership transition as smooth as possible. She said the cancer auction was never forgotten, and was brought up when the two couples were discussing the sale of the bar. Chelsea also said Barb is on the Geneva cancer board, so she knew she’d still be playing an instrumental role in the auction continuing on.

“They’ve helped every step of the way,” said Chelsea. “They’re a big part of Geneva.”

The cancer auction will be going on at the bar for two weekends in January. The auctioning will start at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 and Jan. 16, and at 2 p.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 17. A wide variety of items will be up for auction, ranging from baked goods and quilts to pool cues and Locks of Love donations, to name a few. Chelsea said there’s no deadline for donations, and anyone can donate anything they’d like.

“People can bring something in during the middle of the auction and we’ll accept it,” she said.

Chelsea said the bar, at 101 W. Main St. in Geneva, had their Wild Game Feed in December to raise money for the auction, and will also make a donation on their own as well. She said the money raised and donated goes into a pot that will be given to the Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester along with any other proceeds from the auction.

She said the telethon proceeds go toward helping cancer patients and their families with treatments, paying for bills and in any other aspects they may be struggling with.

“We want to raise awareness,” said Chelsea. “This has a meaning for Geneva.”