Fundraiser to help wounded soldiers
The fourth annual "The Wounded Soldier Fundraiser" will be held Sept. 20 at Bliss Creek Golf Course, 1 Golfview Road, Sugar Grove. A goal of $32,000 has been set.
This year, two soldiers will be honored - Lt. Terrance J. Peterson III and Technical Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr.
Peterson of Warrenville, a graduate of Marmion Academy in Aurora, and Del Toro of Naperville were wounded in separate incidents and both received the Purple Heart. Their full stories can be reviewed by visiting www.thewoundedsoldierfundraiser.com.
Registration begins at 10 a.m. A shotgun start with a scramble format begins at noon. This year, the Honey Bears will be on hand during the event for photos with golfers, to take part in putting contests and to perform for 40 minutes after golfing and before dinner.
The nonprofit fundraiser was established in 2005 by Vietnam Veteran Ed Huss of Sugar Grove Township to provide assistance for a soldier that was wounded in Iraq.
"The fundraisers began because previous Vietnam veteran reunions yielded hundreds of dollars of unspent donations, " said Huss. "My wife, Judy, suggested using the funds to help a wounded Iraq veteran. The rest is history."
In 2005, $9,000 was raised for Kyle Burleson of Springhill, La. who was paralyzed from the neck down when a sniper shot him through the neck. This money, along with funds from "Homes for our Troupes", was used to build a home for Kyle and his family that would accommodate his many physical needs.
In 2006, the beneficiary of the second annual Wounded Soldier Fundraiser was Latseen Benson of League City, Texas, who lost both legs in a roadside bomb. Six thousand and six hundred dollars was raised at the golf outing which helped pay for a car made to accommodate Latseen's needs.
In 2007, the beneficiary of the Wounded Soldier Fundraiser was Victor Rojas whose right leg was shattered by a rocket-propelled grenade. The golf outing raised $15,400 that was used as a down payment on a house for the Rojas family.
The fundraiser is still hoping for golfers and hole sponsors at $150 or more. Register early as registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms can be accessed at thewoundedsoldierfundraiser.com.
To help with the fundraiser by playing golf, making a contribution, sponsoring a hole or volunteering, contact ed@thewoundedsoldierfundraiser.com. Donations may be mailed directly to The Wounded Soldier Fundraiser, 6S260 Hankes Road, Aurora, IL 60506.