The ‘Drive for the Cure’ golf event takes place every September, yet the support it brings to local cancer patients is felt throughout the year.
This year marked the 6th annual ‘Drive for the Cure’ all-ladies golf tournament coordinated by the Brookside Country Club Women’s Golf Association. ‘The all-ladies golf tournament is a unique event in the community,’ says Linda Lucci, founder of ‘Drive for the Cure.’
‘The event was started six years ago in an effort to give back to the community and we could not be more thrilled with our charity of choice, ‘Stretch the Ride.”
‘Stretch the Ride’, a local non-profit foundation, was established by Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center’s Michael Lambo, MD, FACRO; Sherri Wunderlich, RN, and their friend,
Sam Nalbone, MBA to honor the wishes of one very special patient. William ‘Stretch’ Schmaltz passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on through the ‘Stretch the Ride’ organization. Schmaltz’s dream was to establish a local foundation to help cancer patients and their families in their greatest time of need. ‘This is what ‘Stretch’ wanted and we are honored to be a part of this charity established in his name,’ says Dr. Lambo.
Recently, Brookside CC Women’s Golf committee presented a check to members of ‘Stretch the Ride’ for $15,040. Dr. Lambo and Sherri Wunderlich, RN, OCN accepted the check on behalf of the ‘Stretch’ foundation. Committee members include: Deb Robillard; Brenda Maillie; Barbara DeAngelius; Deb Bennis and Joan Breidenbach and Lacy Sendecki. ‘ We are grateful to Lacy Sendecki, a friend of women’s golf at Brookside Country Club who through the generosity of her employer, Glaxo-Smith Kline, is able to match 100% of the money we raise making our total this year the largest donation yet.’
‘I am grateful to the committee for their hard work and dedication, says Lucci, whose family has been touched by cancer. Every committee member also knows someone whose life has been affected by the diagnosis of cancer. Their compassion and drive to help others in need is what helps make this event a success year after year.’ says Lucci.
The event is truly a group effort as members of Brookside Country Club show their support as hole sponsors for the event, and local women’s golf leagues members are among the participants. ‘Our sincere appreciation goes out to the local ladies golfing community as well as all the local business people that contributed to the event. Each year we initiate a drive for door prizes – if anyone would like to donate, please contact Brookside Country Club and they contact someone on the committee to pick up the contribution,’ says Lucci.
‘Brookside Women’s Golf is thrilled to be a part of this event to benefit ‘Stretch the Ride’ – to know the money our community raises directly benefits cancer patients in need is truly the greatest gift we can give and receive this holiday season,’ says Lucci.
