Golf balls were flying at Bud and Glenda Campbell's house Saturday during the couple's charity golf tournament for the Super Sam Foundation.
Super Sam Foundation co-founder Cassie Santhuff said she is especially thankful for the Campbells' event, which took place Friday and Saturday. More than 20 sponsors pitched in for the tournament, and close to two dozen teams participated.
"To keep this going and give us two days for it is just exceptional," she said. "And then I see all the sponsors that have during these hard times, they've still stepped up and said, 'No, this is important and we're going to support it.' It's humbling."
Bud and Glenda Campbell set up the six-hole course, made a meal of pulled pork, contacted potential hole sponsors and collected $50 per participating team.
"I've got to mow it anyway, so why not just mow two levels and put a couple of holes on the ground," Bud Campbell said. "It was just a crazy idea and people showed up."
This is the fifth charity golf tournament the family has organized to benefit local groups over the past couple years.
"We had a granddaughter that was sick, and we just remember how comforted we were by Super Sam and some of their actions," Glenda Campbell said.
The foundation, which raises funds and awareness to fight childhood cancer, has had to cancel a variety of events, including a golf tournament in Farmington that usually raises $10,000.
"It's hard right now to go to anybody for a donation or support of any kind," Santhuff said.
The fate of the annual gala, which has raised $50,000 in the past, is also uncertain - this year the September event might be more of a telethon than a traditional gala.
"Being a completely volunteer-run foundation, we don't have the overhead, and we're grateful for that right now," she said. "However, what we are worried about is being able to continue our mission and helping and supporting kids with cancer and other life-altering illnesses."
Santhuff said she fears not being able to raise as much for advocacy and research. Already, the foundation has had to cancel a trip to Washington, D.C., in April to advocate for legislation and funding related to childhood illness.
"We're looking at anywhere from like a $40,000-$70,000 deficit this year," she said. "It just depends how the gala ends up for us."
On July 29-30, the foundation is partnering with the Fulton High School Student Council for a blood drive. Last year, the foundation's blood drive collected enough blood to help up to 312 people.
"Some blood drives have had to be canceled too, so they're really leaning on us to do a little bit more," Santhuff said.
The event will have safety precautions such as sanitation, space and masks.