-Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Hans Madsen Some of the red silhuettes honoring victims of domestic violence were on display at the 23rd annual Domestic Sexual Assault Outreach Center Cake Auction at the Iowa Central Community College East Campus.

In spite of a day of snow and forecasts calling for even more, the 23rd annual Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center Cake Auction was well attended on the Iowa Central Community College East Campus Saturday evening.

Brenda McBride, executive director of D/SAOC, appreciated those who braved the forecast.

“We have an amazing crowd,” she said. “I’m so happy for those who chose to come out.”

About 300 people attended.

McBride said that while they did discuss a postponement, in the end, a simple statement won the day.

“Someone said violence doesn’t stop for a snowstorm and neither does D/SAOC,” she said.

The evening included both live and silent auctions. About 250 cakes were expected to be auctioned off. Every cake came with a variety of things ranging from Iowa Central scholarships to a vacuum cleaner.

Jessica Jordison, 16, one of the Fort Dodge Senior High School tennis team volunteers who helped with the live auction, got to bring that particular item to the stage.

While waiting her turn in the limelight, she thought a bit about how to best show off the appliance.

“I guess I could vacuum the stage a little bit,” she said.

It was her third trip on the auction stage. Her previous turns included showing handmade doll clothes and carrying the Stumpy’s Bar and Grill cake.

While the silent auction items drew bids, many guests were making their way up and down the rows of tables covered with decorated cakes.

Effie Hill, of Fort Dodge, was among them.

She hadn’t signed any bid slips yet.

“We just got here,” she said.

She was aware that the evening is about much more than cakes.

“It raises awareness in our community about domestic violence.” she said.

She was impressed with the turnout, too.

“I’m so happy so many came out in the weather,” she said. “It shows people care.”

Raelle Wilder, 16, got to hold one of the more unusual cakes to grace the live auction.

A life-sized cake head — of Elvis Presley — was complete with sunglasses, sequined collar, an Elvis lunch box and a photograph of Elvis tribute performer Eddie Simpson, of Boxholm.

“It’s the most disturbing,” she said.

Kathryn Cochrane, 16, got to carry the photograph up on stage. She kept a careful eye on the Elvis cake head.

“I think the head is definitely weirdest,” she said.

She had used some elbow grease earlier.

“We lifted up a grill and a table,” she said.

Augusta Cook, 15, rounded out Team Elvis Cake Head. She carried the Elvis lunch box.

“I think Elvis is cool,” she said.

In the end, the Elvis Cake Head collection sold for $100.

Master of Ceremonies Jim Reed admitted, it might have been, well, a little disturbing.

“It’s kind of creepy,” he said.

Proceeds from the auction go into the D/SAOC operations budget to help provide service to victims of domestic abuse and other violence.