Over its first seven years, the annual Victory Lane-Legends golf outing raised over $40,000 for scholarships, but last year the outing rolled out a brand new cause.
“Over the past years we have dedicated our efforts to raise funds to award scholarships to Merrill student athletes and this has been extremely rewarding,” said Dave Leopold, owner of Victory Lane and Legends. “After much thought, prayer, and reflection, the decision was made last year to revise the program to make a difference for a different demographic – those less fortunate in our community.”
Leopold said he wanted to create a fund raising effort that was bigger than just one event. From that idea was born “Making Dreams Come True of Lincoln County,” a non-profit organization that is now the beneficiary of the golf outing. The concept of the new organization is similar to the national Make a Wish Foundation, but on a localized level. The idea is to create a life changing experience for a community member experiencing hardship due to health, finance, or other issues.
“With this new mission, we intend to turn it into much more of a community event, as well as a yearlong mission to include numerous fundraising activities and events,” Leopold said.
Proceeds from last year’s golf outing were used to offset travel and lodging expenses to family members of murder victim Anita Bucki, and to help purchase a car for a local cancer patient.
Recipients are chosen by a committee through an application process.
“We continue to look to the community to alert us to more good people in need,” Leopold said.
The main fund raising event for the organization continues to be the annual golf outing. The 9th annual outing is set for Saturday, Aug. 17, at Merrill Golf Course. To maximize the amount raised for the new cause, Leopold is hoping to get a full slate of teams into the golf tournament.
“We will need maximum participation (40 teams) to maximize our fundraising efforts and in turn, make the awarded dream even more special,” he said.
Teams can register in person or over the phone at Victory Lane (715-536-9094), Legends (715-539-8866) or Merrill Golf Club (715-536-2529). The cost is $85 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch on the turn and drinks on the course, and a prime rib buffet dinner Saturday evening at Victory Lane.
Celebrity guest at the golf outing this year will once again be former Green Bay Packer star LeRoy Butler, who will be golfing at the event on Saturday as well as be at Victory Lane for a sponsor dinner Friday evening. New this year will be “Breakfast with Butler,” an opportunity for some community members to have a private breakfast with Butler. The dinner at Victory Lane Saturday evening will include an extensive silent auction and raffles.
For more information about Making Dreams Come True of Lincoln County, see their website at www.makingdreamscometrueoflincolncounty.com. For information on how to get involved with the event, whether by donating items for the silent auction, selling raffle tickets or volunteering to help, contact committee member Katie Annis at 715-212-3083 or email [email protected].