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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2015-06-03, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Seaforth area family hosts annual ring toss tourney to raise funds for cancer research Marco Vigliotti Huron Expositor Nick Van Dyk was only 19 years old when he passed away from cancer in 2008. Remembered as a per- petually upbeat teen that cherished his friendships and had a sincere love for others, his passing moti- vated his extended family to contribute in whatever way they could to efforts to combat the deadly illness. So, with Nick's memory still burning bright, his family turned one of his favourite games into an unlikely front in the fight to eradicate childhood cancer, organizing an annual "Toss'em up for Childhood Cancer" ring toss (Texas Horseshoe) tournament to raise funds for crucial research on the disease. Now in its seventh year, the event is set to return to the Van Dyk's Seaforth acre- age on June 6. "(Nick) was always such an athletic fellow and he played that all the time when we got together at functions," Marg Hender- son, Nick's aunt and one of the event's organizers, said of the decision to set up the Texas Horseshoe competition. "It's been great because it's a family event, and there's the teenagers, the parents and the grandpar- ents. We usually have any- where around 150 to 160 teams - and there's two peo- ple per team." All proceeds from the friendly competition are donated to the Coast -to - Coast foundation, a regis- tered Canadian based char- ity that claims to be an entirely volunteer -driven group, which it says allows all funds generated to go directly to funding cancer research. In addition to the tournament, the event also features a silent auction, door prizes, and food and refreshments. On average, the Texas Horseshoe competition raises about $15,000 to $20,000 each year for the charity, Henderson said, with about $185,000 gener- ated for Coast -to -Coast over the past five years alone. "It's been a great success over the years, so we've just continued to have it," she told the Expositor. For those unfamiliar with Texas Horseshoes, the setup is fairly simply. Players are divided into teams of two and attempt to toss washers into three different holes on a board. Either one, three or five points are granted depend- ing on which hole the washer lands in. The entrance fee for the ring toss tournament totals $40 and ensures each team at least five games. Although the competition typically attracts over 350 participants, Henderson said it also lures countless others to stop by to soak in the fes- tivities, enjoy a bite to eat or place a bid in the silent auction. Among the items to be auctioned off this year include several gift certifi- cates from local businesses, rounds of golf at the Sea - forth course and even tick- ets to see the Toronto Blue Jays. "It's an open event, any- one can attend, not just those registered to play," Henderson said, encourag- ing anyone interested to stop by. While the competition is named in Nick's honour, it has also sought to pay trib- ute to a different young per- son fighting the illness each year. As it has grown so too has the list of those inextri- cably linked with the event. Organizers now also cite the case of late Seaforth resident Kate Merner, who lost her battle with osteo- genic sarcorna in February 2013. Calling her "a ray of sunshine to anyone she met," organizers said Kate's positive outlook on life was "contagious and her smile would light up any room." Much more than a fund- raiser, the ring toss event also aspires to serve as a liv- ing memorial to those who passed away from cancer and to build support net- works within the community. "We want to remember those that we have loved and lost - most notably Nick Van Dyk, who this tournament was founded in memory of," reads a section of the competi- tion's promotional flyer. "We love that the day is built around community and being in the moment. It is a time for people to connect with friends and family, which is life's best gift." After a successful showing in Seaforth, the event has branched out, with another edition held in Woodstock in July. If you're going: Tournament Details: Texas Horseshoe Tour- nament (aka Ring Toss) Date: Starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday June 6th. Location: Van Dyk Farm (42275 Mill Road, Seaforth, ON) Cost: $40/team (2 people per team) Registration Deadline: Friday May 29th, 2015 with payment received Beer Tent, Concession Stand, Door Prizes, T-shirt Contest, & Much More! Because you love MedicAlert®.The bracelet with an emergency hotline linked to your child's medical record Call 1-866-734-9425 or visit wwwmedicalert.ca MedicAlert Lets You Live Life. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Huron Expositor 8 Main St, Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS EmR6H 0 R y I Et You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Snowdon Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 Sunday June 7 All invited to our 160th Anniversary Celebration Worship at 2pm (no morning service) Presider: The Rt. Rev. Bob Bennett, Bishop of Huron Musical Guest: The Blyth Festival Orchestra Open offering in support of Huron Church Camp bursaries Service followed by refreshments & fellowship. Photo and artifact displays. Catered Roast beef supper at 5pm (advance tickets only) EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura An Affirming Congregation Worship Leader Rev. Nick Vandermey Worship June 7th 10:30 am Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. For more information view our website www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com & like us on Facebook BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH AnAssociated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Rev. Mark Kennedy Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Tuesday Evenings Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Boys & Girls Club 7 p.m. Wednesdays 7p.m. Men's & Women's Bible Study ��• EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Rob Congram Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship JUNE 7th, 11:00 a.m. Sunday School Nursery Provided as Needed L‘. ALL WELCOME games. Although the competition typically attracts over 350 participants, Henderson said it also lures countless others to stop by to soak in the fes- tivities, enjoy a bite to eat or place a bid in the silent auction. Among the items to be auctioned off this year include several gift certifi- cates from local businesses, rounds of golf at the Sea - forth course and even tick- ets to see the Toronto Blue Jays. "It's an open event, any- one can attend, not just those registered to play," Henderson said, encourag- ing anyone interested to stop by. While the competition is named in Nick's honour, it has also sought to pay trib- ute to a different young per- son fighting the illness each year. As it has grown so too has the list of those inextri- cably linked with the event. Organizers now also cite the case of late Seaforth resident Kate Merner, who lost her battle with osteo- genic sarcorna in February 2013. Calling her "a ray of sunshine to anyone she met," organizers said Kate's positive outlook on life was "contagious and her smile would light up any room." Much more than a fund- raiser, the ring toss event also aspires to serve as a liv- ing memorial to those who passed away from cancer and to build support net- works within the community. "We want to remember those that we have loved and lost - most notably Nick Van Dyk, who this tournament was founded in memory of," reads a section of the competi- tion's promotional flyer. "We love that the day is built around community and being in the moment. It is a time for people to connect with friends and family, which is life's best gift." After a successful showing in Seaforth, the event has branched out, with another edition held in Woodstock in July. If you're going: Tournament Details: Texas Horseshoe Tour- nament (aka Ring Toss) Date: Starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday June 6th. Location: Van Dyk Farm (42275 Mill Road, Seaforth, ON) Cost: $40/team (2 people per team) Registration Deadline: Friday May 29th, 2015 with payment received Beer Tent, Concession Stand, Door Prizes, T-shirt Contest, & Much More! Because you love MedicAlert®.The bracelet with an emergency hotline linked to your child's medical record Call 1-866-734-9425 or visit wwwmedicalert.ca MedicAlert Lets You Live Life. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Huron Expositor 8 Main St, Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS