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DOWAGIAC — A local nonprofit’s annual event will soon be celebrating a milestone.

The EliStrong Foundation, a nonprofit based in Dowagiac, is gearing up for its 10th annual golf outing set to take place at 8 a.m. July 20 at Hampshire Country Club, 29592 Pokagon Hwy, Dowagiac.

Tickets for the event cost $75 per person or $300 per team, which covers golf and a sack lunch. Pre-registration for the event as well as sponsorship donations can be done by emailing Dan Ely at delyst.joe@gmail.com or the day of the event. Checks and registration forms can be mailed to: Eli Strong Foundation, PO Box 754, Dowagiac. The outing will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

The EliStrong Foundation owes its existence to the courage of Elijah Alexander, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma – a cancerous tumor on the brain stem – at two years old in 2014. During and after Alexander’s treatment, the outpouring of support his family received made them want to start the foundation. Alexander has been cancer-free for six years and recently celebrated his 12th birthday.

The Elistrong Foundation became a federally-recognized nonprofit in 2016 and has helped as many families as they can get through the struggle of having a child with cancer. The organization has helped families from Northwest Indiana, as well as locally. Alexander’s grandmother, Linda, estimates that the foundation has donated more than $100,000 to families from Michiana and beyond.

For Linda, the most rewarding part is delivering the money to the families.

“It is so meaningful to be able to help these families,” Linda said. “Cancer takes everything out of a family. Emotional, financial, everything, right? Nobody wants to lose anybody to cancer, but you don’t want to lose a child. They haven’t had a chance to live yet. It has been very rewarding for everyone on the board.”

Sponsorship levels include:

Super Hero – $500+: Event sponsor on all marketing, social and print media. Signage at registration tables and includes one golf foursome.

Hero – $250 Food sponsor on all marketing, social and print media. Signage at food and registration table.

Caped Crusader – $100: Swag sponsor on all marketing material, social and print media. (Value in-kind accepted)

Defender – $50: Sponsor or business will be named on a sign of its own at one of the tee boxes.

Those interested in sponsoring a hole on the golf course can email Linda at lindaalex50@hotmail.com with the name or how the sign should read. Each hole sign is $50.00 and will be placed at a tee box on the Dogwood course at Hampshire.