Marble Falls group getting the drop on breast cancer with fundraiser, big prize
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — When the women of Team Treasured Chests began raising money to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in November, they lined up several different fundraisers, including pancake dinners and other typical events.
As the deadline for the needed money to participate in the 3-Day event nears, team members find themselves a tad short.
But they came up with high-flying way to hit their mark.
“We’re going to do a golf ball drop,” said Team Treasured Chests member Wendy Bingham. “Basically, we’re going to drop 500 numbered golf balls from a helicopter. We’ll sell the golf balls for $10 each, and the person’s whose golf ball lands closest to the target on the ground wins $500.”
The prize is based on the number of balls sold.
The drop will take place Sept. 1 over private property. All the proceeds go to breast cancer research and early detection awareness through the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
But the golf ball drop isn’t the end of the project. It’s part of the way for Team Treasured Chests to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day on Nov. 7-9 in Dallas. The event is a 60-mile walk over a three-day period to raise money for breast cancer research, treatment and detection.
In order to participate, Team Treasured Chests, which consists of Bingham, Patty McAlpin, Julie Conrad, Kay Batch, Kathy Wright and Judy Miller, need to raise $13,800 for the foundation. The group has raised about $9,000 to date but needs an extra bump to get them over the goal.
“With this event, we believe we’ll not only raise enough money but will probably go over it,” Bingham said. “But that’s good because all the money goes to breast cancer research and support.”
The idea behind participating in the walk actually started last year with McAlpin, who was battling cancer.
McAlpin’s sister, who lives in the Dallas area, organized a team to participate in the 2013 3-Day in honor and support of the Marble Falls Middle School counselor.
“Patty said her goal was to get healthy enough this year so she could do it herself,” Bingham said. Last December, Marble Falls Middle School students and staff celebrated with McAlpin as she headed for her last radiation treatment.
This year, she’s leading the charge on the 60-mile walk in November.
“If you think about it, we have a team of six and her sister has another team of six participating this year,” Bingham said. “So, that means at least $27,000 will be raised for breast cancer research directly because of Patty. That’s pretty amazing.”
Tickets are available from any of the six Team Treasured Chests members or at Security State Bank & Trust, 608 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls; American Bank of Texas, 418 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls; and Outback Unlimited, 2000 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls.
Call Bingham at (830) 613-9624 for more information. And go to www.the3day.org for more on the 3-Day event.
daniel@thepicayune.com