Elgin golf outing supports breast exams, recreation scholarships

Elginities who can't afford youth recreation or mammograms will benefit from a successful golf fundraiser held at Bowes Creek Country Club.

A total of 71 golfers took part in the "Nine, Wine & Dine"event Oct. 2, for which the parks and recreation department partnered for the first time with the Women's Organization for Wellness, said Maria Cumpata, acting parks and recreation director. Bowes Creek belongs to the city of Elgin.

"This year's event had a great turnout. We almost tripled in size from last year," Cumpata said.

The golf outing netted $4,525 in profits after $7,930 in revenues and $3,405 in expenses, she said. The profits will be split between the two organization, or about $2,263 each.

The parks and recreation department will use the money for its recreation youth scholarship fund, Cumpata said. The fund was established in 1993 to provide financial assistance to young people whose families can't afford to register them for recreation programs.

Women's Organization for Wellness, or WOW, was established in 1996 to teach senior women about the importance of self-breast examination, WOW President Ronell DeLoncker said. The program has evolved into a resource for free screening mammograms to men and women of all ages, she said.

"We were really blessed to get so much support," for the golf outing, DeLoncker said. "It was a good time had by all and for a good reason. A good cause."

For more information about WOW, call (224) 783-6136 or visit facebook.com/Womens-Organization-for-Wellness-174745459257391.

For more information about the Elgin parks and recreation youth scholarship fund visit cityofelgin.org/1033/Youth-Scholarship-Fund.