Fox Valley fundraisers

To submit your listing, e-mail foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax (847) 608-0849.

Elgin Community College Foundation Golf Classic: The annual golf outing will be held at 10:30 a.m. June 23 at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin. Cost for golf, prizes, silent auction, lunch, dinner is $250 per golfer. Cost for lunch only is $25; dinner only, $60. Sponsorships are available. It benefits scholarships. For information or to register, (847) 214-7377 or elgin.edu/eccfoundation.

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society says one in three Americans will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. There is a way to make a difference in the battle. On June 27-28, hundreds of local survivors, caregivers, family, friends and volunteers will participate in the Relay For Life of Kane County.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight celebration to honor survivors, remember loved ones and raise money to fight cancer. The event is at Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium in the Kane County Events Center. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m., and the relay officially starts when local cancer survivors unite to walk or ride during the first lap of the event. After the first lap, they are joined by caregivers - family, friends and those who have helped during their battles with cancer.

Afterward and throughout the night, teams of eight to 15 members use an illuminated path to guide participants as they walk around the clock. Though not all teams stay overnight, those that do designate at least one team member to walk or run at all times. Food, games, music and special activities keep energy high during the night and early morning.

Closing ceremonies are held at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to attend, watch or take part in any of the festivities.

The goal of this year's Relay For Life of Kane County is to raise more than $350,000. With just about a month to go, there are 570 registered participants, 71 teams, and over $119,000 raised.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has been a long-time sponsor of the event. 2008 marks the 12th year the district has donated use of Elfstrom Stadium. Additionally, District staff volunteer on the steering committee and during the event.

For details about the Relay For Life of Kane County, call the American Cancer Society at (630) 879-9009, Ext. 3, or visit Web site www.relayforlifekane.com.

Texas Hold'em fundraiser: Lake in the Hills Police Benevolent Association's Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Fundraiser, Lic #CG-2028, will be held June 20 at the American Legion, 1101 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills.

Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and games begin at 7:30 p.m.

Must be 18 or older to play.

Buy-in is $60; re-buy option is $30.

Prizes will be awarded based on 50 percent of total buy-ins, not including re-buys.

The example below is based on the maximum 100 players. If 100 players do not register, the listed percentage will be awarded to first through eighth place: first place, 40 percent, $250 cash plus $950 retail gift card of your choice; second place 20 percent, $250 cash plus $350 retail gift card of your choice; third place 10 percent, $250 cash plus $50 retail gift card of your choice; fourth place, 8 percent, $240 cash; fifth place 7 percent, $210 cash; sixth place, 6 percent, $180 cash; seventh place, 5 percent, $150 cash; eighth place, 4 percent, $120 cash.

One hundred seats are available; register now to reserve your seat. For reservations or information, contact Mark Mogan or Eric Decker at lithpbalith.org Lake in the Hills Police Benevolent Association, 1115 Crystal Lake Road, Lake in the Hills or call (847) 658-5676 or fax to (847) 960-7552.

Garden Walk: Four stunning gardens located in Cary, Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake have been selected for this year's annual Garden Walk event, scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. June 21.

The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.

Featured homes include the homes of Gerald and Patricia Menzel and Frank and Judy Ganser of Fox River Grove, the home of Dave and Andi Miller of Cary and the Crystal Lake home of Bob Grassley, owner of Stonewood Design Group Inc., a landscape designer and horticulturist.

The Garden Walk generally sells out each year. Tickets are $70 per person and include the tour of four area gardens, and a progressive meal and wine tasting at each home. The price includes the wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and bus transportation to each garden. Seating is limited. Call the chamber office at (847) 639-2800 to reserve your spot.

The Garden Walk Committee consists of Dorothy Miller of Lake Julian Trout Farm, Neelie Kruse of Cary Travel Express, Christine Counley of Tastefully Simple, Wendy Franz of R & W Construction Custom Home Remodeling, Cathy Olson of Herbalife, Patsy Frits of Realty Executives on the Move, and Kathie McLaughlin of American National Insurance-McLaughlin Agency.

Last year the Cary Grove Chamber awarded three business scholarships to area high school students. The awards, totaling $2,250, are intended to encourage local students to pursue college interests that might impact area business. Last year's scholarship award winners were local students Ellen Smialek, Robert Clanton and Ashley Howe.

Arby's for Big Brothers Big Sisters: Arby's is launching a national community fundraiser in Arby's restaurants countrywide to raise money and awareness for youth-mentoring, and residents of McHenry County can use it to make a difference in their own local communities.

From May 26 through June 30, customers who visit Arby's restaurants in McHenry County can donate $1 and sign a "Help Us Help Kids" pin-up to hang on the wall of the restaurant. Money raised will support Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.

In 2007, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentored 512 children, ages 6-8, in communities across McHenry County.

Last year, Arby's raised more than $1.6 million nationwide through its pin-up campaign.

"We are challenging all members of the Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and McHenry communities to reach out and lend a hand to our children by making a donation at their local Arby's," said James Greco, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County.

"This fundraiser is an important part of our agency's funding.

"Through a $1 donation, Arby's and local residents unite to help transform the lives of McHenry County young people."

"We've always believed in the power of giving back to the communities that we serve," said Greg Hawkins, senior vice president of Community Partnerships, Arby's Restaurant Group,Inc.

"Arby's is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County in their mission to serve children in need with one-to-one mentors."