Frisbee golf tourney raises more funds than expected

A Frisbee golf tournament and fundraiser to benefit the Care to Share cancer support group and The Sharing Bucket exceeded organizers' goals by bringing in more than $3,000 for the nonprofit organization which helps local cancer patients, their caregivers and survivors.

The tournament, which took place Saturday at Gunn Park, raised a total of $3,007, which exceeded the anticipated goal of $2,000 to $2,500, and drew about 250-300 people throughout the day, organizer Chris Howard said.

"I'm very pleased with that," he said.

Howard, a Fort Scott native who returned to his hometown earlier this year to start his own business, Stateline Garage Doors LLC, organized the tournament, which also included a 5K run, horseshoe pitching, food and beverages, a silent auction and a variety of children's activities.

Weather for the event was "perfect" and "everything went smooth," Howard said.

He chose The Sharing Bucket for the fundraiser since all money donated to the group stays in Bourbon County and is used to help people in the community, and because the community, through the organization, reaches out to support those in their battle with cancer.

Howard said he was "all over the place the whole day," helping with the event, which included plenty of activities for children such as a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, rides on a miniature train and a medical helicopter kids could look through.

Assistance with organizing the event came from both individuals and local businesses. Howard said he had a good response to his request last month for donations and help working at the event.

"Everyone came together and helped us," Howard said.

Howard said there were about 12 teams in the disc golf tournament and approximately six or seven people participated in the 5K run.

Howard said "100 percent" of the proceeds and any money he invests in the event will go toward The Sharing Bucket. He hopes to make it an annual occasion to benefit the organization.

"It will be bigger and better next year," he said.

Sharing Bucket member Lavetta Simmons said funds raised "go right back to the local community for the needs of our local cancer patients."

"It was all very successful," she said.

Simmons said all items in the silent auction, as well as food for the event, were donated by local businesses. There were also businesses that provided sponsorships for holes in the disc golf tournament.

The total raised at the event could be even higher as there are still some items from the silent auction that have not yet been collected, Simmons said.