Elks Give Greatly to Cancer Research

The Noblesville Elks #576 “Steve Renner” Annual Golf Outing for Cancer Research was held at Fox Prairie Golf Course last Saturday.

The Noblesville Elks have raised more than $500,000 in the past 30 years for this worthwhile effort.  Last year, nearly $38,000 was raised. The numbers aren’t in from this year’s event, but organizers expect it to be bigger than last year. The outing sold out in just six days this year.  The Elks played all three of the 9-hole courses at the Fox.

In March,  19 Elks came together to begin work on this much loved event. Led by Trustee Jerry Wides, this group met every couple of weeks in the beginning.  As the event drew closer the meetings did, too. The committee of 19 canvased the community to secure sponsors of all levels.  Organizers said they are fortunate to have MANY great sponsors who believe in this effort.  Everything helps. There were corporate sponsors, hole sponsors, beer cart sponsors, silent auction sponsors and gift sponsors.

The week before the outing, the Elks opened their Silent Auction to bidders. There were Items from all over the community, including donations from local business, restaurants, the Fever, the Pacers, the Colts and many, many more.  Officials from the Elks expressed their deep gratitude for all the community support. The Silent Auction will add over $5,000 to the total earned for cancer research.

Before the sun rose on the day of the event, volunteers hit the course to set up on each tee box, to put all sponsor signs on the course and to get ready for 180 golfers. Thirty-one volunteers worked this event from registration, manning par 3s, driving beer carts and anything else needed. While all this was going on at the course many more volunteers were busy at the Elks preparing for all to come for lunch following the outing.

Before golfers hit the course, the Elks said they were honored to host guests from Indiana and Purdue Universities Cancer Centers.  They shared what the money the Elks raise each year does in their efforts to fight this disease that affects so many of us.

Golf carts were packed with coolers, hats and shirts provided by Steve Renner and packed with many items donated for the golfers from businesses in the community.

The 180 Golfers teed off at 8 a.m. for a beautiful day on the course. Lots of fun happened with putting contests, closest to the pin contest and poker run.  Included in the many golfers present Saturday morning were two Indiana Elks Past State Presidents, Brian Pillar Geoff Robinson. Robinson is a member from our Noblesville Lodge.  Also in attendance for the outing was  current State Tiler, Dave Veronesi.

Following the outing all returned to the Elks for lunch and prizes. Lunch was provided by Steve and Linda Renner.

Eighty percent of the money raised this year will go to the Elks state major project, cancer research and 10 percent goes to local cancer projects.

Keep an eye out for more from the Elks next year, Elks Care . . . Elks Share!