By Staff
NILES – On Saturday, Aug. 11, the family and friends of the late Tracy "Tiny" Wilson will be gathering at Plym Park Golf Course to help raise awareness of organ donation and to help fund the fourth annual Tracy "Tiny" Wilson Memorial Golf Outing.
The golf outing is a scramble or "best ball" format. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m. The cost is $55 per person or $220 for a foursome. The cost includes golf, golf cart, hog roast luncheon and a commemorative t-shirt.
There will be a $10,000 hole-in-one contest along with other special prize holes.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and donations for raffle prizes are being taken.
Representatives from Michigan and Indiana organ donation organizations will be present to help participants sign up to be organ donors.
There will be a hog roast at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Platt Street immediately following the outing. This is open to the public. Ticket prices (for non-golfers) for the hog roast are $10 per person, $5 for children 12 and under. There will be live music later in the day and activities for the entire family.
For more information, please call Bill Zimmerman at 683-7100 or 683-9382.
You can also register online at www.makeatinydifference.org.
Wilson passed away in November 2003 while awaiting a heart transplant in Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Wilson was born on Dec. 29, 1960 and lived in Niles all his life. He was a 1979 graduate of Niles High School, where he served as senior class president and homecoming king. He was a realtor for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Specialists, owned "Pigs By Bigs" catering company and also worked in the maintenance department of Niles Community School Corporation.
Wilson loved nature and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed darts and bowling, but especially enjoyed his children and taking part in their many activities.
Many people knew Wilson throughout the Niles and Michiana area from his many catering jobs he performed for various businesses and organizations – everyone knew Tiny as a "gentle giant."
The condition that caused Wilson to be placed on the transplant list is known as cardiomyopathy. This condition causes the heart to deteriorate to the point that it no longer works to support the body. There isn't a cure for this disease and normally results in requiring a transplant.
Wilson's family and friends wanted to come up with something that would help people with needs similar to his to help promote organ donation and to make people aware of how important it is to help people like Wilson.
"Unfortunately, we can't make a difference for Tracy, but perhaps we can make a difference in the memory of him. Tracy was a wonderful person and the Michiana area is going to miss a good friend. This has been hard on all of us to get over, but hopefully some good will come from it and Tracy will stay in our hearts and minds forever," chairman of the event Bill Zimmerman stated.