The Berrien County Cancer Service is asking residents to save their pennies for the 24th annual Pennies for Patients Day celebration Thursday.

The Niles Masonic Temple, in downtown Niles, will be opening its lobby area for BCCS to host a collection reception from noon to 2 p.m. Please use the entrance on Third Street.

In conjunction, the BCCS is conducting a Wheatback Penny auction. One Wheatback Penny collection weighing approximately 15 pounds will be auctioned. Bidding begins at $75. Bids are accepted by phone at (269) 429-3281 or by email at staff@bccancerservice.org.

BCCS is a nonprofit providing skilled in-home nursing care free of charge for people in Berrien County who have a cancer diagnosis.

It is funded by the United Way of Southwest Michigan, donations, memorials and fundraisers.

Last year, more than $16,000 was collected during the fundraiser.

The Pennies for Patients Day celebration will also be held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at BCCS headquarters at 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville.