By now, nearly everyone knows someone whose life has been disrupted by breast cancer. Some of us grieve for friends or family members for whom the disease was fatal. A few try to do something about it, so that daughters, sisters, nieces, mothers, wives and friends will not succumb to breast cancer in the future. Stepping Out for Cancer Kures (SOCKs) is among those trying to change the outcomes by raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and educational programs. A nonprofit organization comprised entirely of volunteers, SOCKs currently is raising funds for the San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
One of their major fundraisers held locally by the Tri-Valley chapter is “Tee’d Off at Breast Cancer,” a golf tournament, banquet and auction at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore. The 2006 event will be held on Friday, June 23, with registration beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a scramble format at 1 p.m. Cost per player is $195, which includes green and cart fees, box lunch, tee prize gift pack, dinner and wine tasting, drawing and auction and specialty holes. The awards banquet and auction begin at 6:30 p.m. Discounted fees are offered for a complete foursome, and also for early registration and for returning golfers.
Many of the SOCKs volunteers have been personally affected by breast cancer. In fact, there are as many different stories as there are members of SOCKs. Katherine “KC” Czarnik, lead graphics technician for the Pleasanton Unified School District, is involved as a SOCKs volunteer in part because her younger sister in Michigan has battled breast cancer.
“I love being part of Tri-Valley SOCKs because they’re such a caring and energetic group, always coming up with new, fun ways to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to find a cure,” Czarnik said.
According to tournament organizer Robyn Middleton, there still is room for up to 40 more golfers to join in the fun for the worthwhile cause. To register, or to find out more, visit www.trivalleysocks.org or send an e-mail to golf@trivalleysocks.org.
Not a golfer? Check the Web site about a September event in Pleasanton’s Hacienda Business Park. That one will involve (among other things) a bra-decorating contest–a fun way to raise funds for a serious purpose. You can see examples at the SOCKs booth during First Wednesday Street Parties, 6-9 p.m. on Pleasanton’s Main Street. During the August 2 Street Party, SOCKs volunteers will be also at Fleet Feet, 310 Main St., showing people how to decorate “Bras for the Cause.”
