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 On Wednesday July 7, 2010, the Deer Park Ladies Golf Club presented Candlelighters with a check for $14,500.00 – the proceeds from the 13th Annual Deer Park Ladies Benefit Golf Tournament on June 13, 2010.
Through overwhelming community support, the golf club was able to exceed their goal of $12,000.00. To date, the golf club has raised $56,500.00 to support kids with cancer in the Inland Northwest. What a tremendous testimony to the hard work and local community spirit committed to ensuring that kids don’t fight cancer alone.
Pictured from left to right: Margaret Kobylus, Candlelighters Past President; Mary Anne Ruddis, Candlelighters Executive Director; Lylia Toner, Deer Park Ladies Golf Club and Candlelighter member; Deb Spiger, Deer Park Ladies Golf Club Committee 2010 Co-Chair; Pat Bates, Deer Park Ladies Golf Club 2010 Co-Chair; and Faith Van Belle, Candlelighters Board President.
Said, Deb Spiger, “I want to thank the men’s club for their involvement this year. It really helped us. Also thanks to Randy Toner, the entire Divots Grill and Sports Bar Crew, Craig Schuh, Deer Park Golf Course General Manager and Golf Pro, and all of the club members.”
“You have made a difference in the lives of kids and families,” said Mary Anne Ruddis, Candlelighters Executive Director. This on-going community fundraiser is one of Candlelighters largest fundraisers and is crucial to sustain the programs and services that assist children and families as they navigate the world of childhood cancer.
Candlelighters is grateful for all of the hard work of the golf club and committee members and the many community sponsors, donors, and golfers.
In 2004, golf club member Lylia Toner suggested that funds from the tournament benefit local children with cancer and introduced Candlelighters to the club. Lylia has personal experience with childhood cancer. Her daughter Veronica went through treatments when she was in the seventh grade. Today, she is 29 years old, a counselor at Spokane Mental Health, and the mother of a 5 month old – a miracle in and of itself since many children are told they will be infertile as a result of cancer treatments. “The idea that the funds remained in our local community was a big draw,” said Lylia.
Founded in 1977 Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest, a local partner of the American Childhood Cancer Organization (formerly Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation), empowers families as they deal with the devastation that a childhood cancer diagnosis brings.
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