Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
It was a family affair for the Pat Tucker family at the Bowling for the Cure benefit at the Konteka in White Pine Saturday. After receiving donations and pledges, Tucker, first row, agreed to have his mustache and hair shaved in honor of his father, Dave, who is being treated for cancer. Pictured are, from left, second row: Ryan Tucker, Shannon Tucker Clinesmith and Megan and Erin Tucker.
WHITE PINE — Lowell and Peggy Elmblad joined thousands of people more than five years ago who have heard the verdict of cancer.
As Lowell was in the treatment and recovery stage, the couple discussed something they wanted to do for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association which had helped them financially with some of the cancer bills. Lowell and Peggy are great bowling enthusiasts and thought they could combine bowling and a benefit.
Out of that thinking came the Bowling for the Cure benefit, with this year’s event held Saturday at the Konteka in White Pine. For the last five years, the couple has raised funds for the organization. Last year the couple cut off their own hair as a tribute to the cancer patients who would lose theirs.
For the fifth annual Bowling for the Cure, others stepped forward to have their locks trimmed and sent to the Children with Hair Loss organization. Brenda Wells grew her hair for years and had her long pigtail cut off, as did young Haley Huhn. Pat Tucker had his hair and mustache shaved as four of his five children cheered him on. Tucker dedicated his shaving to his father, Dave, who is in treatment for cancer. Others stepped forward as well.
Some men had their heads shaved after donations were linked to the action.
In the end, the Elmblads, with the help of the public and donation of the bowling alley by the Konteka in White Pine, raised $5,900 for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association. In the past five years, Bowling for the Cure raised $28,000 for the OCCA.
“We have had wonderful help from volunteers, and especially Lindy at the Konteka for the benefit,” Peggy said, noting that she and her husband are already working on next year’s event.
