NCCA plans annual golf tourney
PRESCOTT – This will be the 15th year the Nevada County Cancer Association (NCCA) will host its annual golf tournament.
The tourney began in 2002, but was named after local attorney Jim McKenzie, a member of the NCCA, after he died of cancer. The tourney will be held on Aug. 5, at the Prescott Country Club. There will be two flights, one morning and one afternoon. The morning flight will tee off at 7:30 a.m. with the afternoon flight to hit the links at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $40 per person and includes an automatic entry into the hole-in-one contest.
The NCCA met Thursday in the Nevada County Library to discuss where plans for the tourney are and what still needs to be done. President Debbie Henderson said letters have been sent to sponsors and members are looking for donations for prizes and snacks. The tournament will include lunch for all golfers as well as a silent auction. Auction items are also being sought and gathered at this time.
Henderson said the prizes and auction items can be stored at the Nevada County Health Unit until tourney time. The group talked about the different businesses needing to be contacted for sponsorship and donations. It was pointed out drinks and snacks are normally donated for the event, which is the NCCA’s fundraiser. Money raised from the tournament is used to help pay for transportation for Nevada County residents diagnosed with cancer to and from their medical appointments/treatments.
She said ice chests are needed, and those lending them should make sure their name is on their ice chest. The chests will be used for ice and drinks for the golfers. Henderson said volunteers need to be at the country club by 7 a.m. to help get things set up.
The group will meet once more before the tournament to put goody bags together for the participants. “We usually shoot for 150,” Henderson said, “but wind up with 100 (being given away).”
Henderson said the NCCA needs another way for people to call for help, as she’s getting swamped at the NCHU where she’s the administrator. The board decided to purchase a Trac phone to be used as a message phone for callers needing assistance. The phone will be the type where minutes can be bought and roll over if they aren’t used. It will also have a message letting people know what they need to provide from their doctor, and that they will be called back as soon as possible. One of the board will keep up with the phone, making sure it stays charged.
Edie Greenwood, a member of the NCCA board, told the group about “Stomping the Wild” a program for fifth grade students from schools across Southwest Arkansas. The event is held at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie, with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission doing presentations and normally bringing its fish tank. She said a cancer-related program is also done to try and keep the students from starting the use of tobacco products, including e-cigs.
It costs, she said, $40 per student to hold the event, and there are normally 200 students involved. Only the Texarkana Independent School District doesn’t participate as it has its own program. She asked if the NCCA would act as a fiduciary agent so she could seek donations from Firestone. The NCCA is a 501(c)3 entity, which means all donations are tax deductible.
She added there will be programs on hunting, fishing and boating safety, tree stand safety and poison control, along with cancer prevention. Lunch and snacks will be provided for the students. With the NCCA participating, it’s logo will be included on the shirts given to the students.