Bringing Christmas in July

The Fallon Marine Corps League will seek to help kids in need tomorrow with Fallon’s first ever Toys for Tots golf tournament.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with registration opening at 8 a.m. The tournament will be four-man scrambles; registration costs $40 per person and $160 for a four-man team. Registration will be accepted the day of the event, though some people may need to walk depending on how many teams there are.

“People can come up and register,” said Chris Hansberry, Toys for Tots program coordinator for Fallon. “If we get enough for 20 or 30 (teams), they may not get a golf cart.”

Since this is the first year, they wanted to keep things small, but hope to grow it next year if it’s successful.

Prizes will be given to the first, second and third-place teams as well as the closest to the pin and longest putt. A raffle and silent auction of items donated by local businesses will also be available for participants.

All proceeds will benefit the Fallon MCL Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tots seeks to ensure all children are able to enjoy Christmas and receive presents. They collect donations throughout the year, then buy toys or needed items for families in need. The Fallon MCL serves an area encompassing Churchill County as well as parts of Pershing and Lyon counties; Hansberry said they have made deliveries to Fernley, Gabbs and Yerington in the past.

“We try to make sure every needy and deserving child has a good Christmas,” he said.

The idea for the tournament came to Hansberry while he was brainstorming ideas for fundraisers. He said a golf tournament seemed like a good, fun way to raise money and have the community involved. The hope is for this to become an annual event to help the program.

“Anything we can do is greatly appreciated,” Hansberry said. “Whatever the community can offer.”