The Sanderson Family, from left, Amy, Dawn, Dick, Trey, Melissa. The annual Dick Sanderson Driving 4 Life Golf Tournament is this week. (See below).

It’s Autism Awareness Month again and the local chapter of the Autism Society of N.C. is holding its annual Autism Aware Fare all over Mecklenburg County this Tuesday, April 21. All you have to do is visit a participating restaurant and eat! Meanwhile, we also bring you news about these upcoming events:

• The Kate MacIntyre Foundation, founded in honor of the late director of Downtown Davidson Inc., has postponed its April 25 “Art for Life” fund-raiser for lung cancer research and education. Details in our Monday, April 20, news story.
• Our Towns Habitat for Humanity plans a “Racin’ Rockin’ ‘n Roofin’” party and fund-raiser Saturday, April 25.
• The 5th annual Dick Sanderson Driving 4 Life golf tournament is this week, and two other golf tourneys are on the calendar: One for Davidson Day School Monday, and the Lions’ annual Russell B. Knox Golf Tournament Monday, April 27.
• Davidson basketball player Bryant Barr is organizing a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and silent auction to raise money for mosquito nets for African families, to prevent malaria.

AUTISM AWARE FARE

At Tuesday’s Autism Aware Fare, participating restaurants, including Summit Coffee in Davidson, will donate a percentage of the day’s sales to the chapter.

At Summit, you can grab some coffee, buy your beans for the week, have your breakfast or lunch there, or finish the day there with a beer or glass of wine this Tuesday.

Other options for lunch or dinner in our area: Brixx Pizza, McAlister’s Deli, Matt’s Chicago Dog, Brooklyn South Pizzeria, and Midtown Sundries.

In Charlotte that day? Go to www.AutismAwareFare.org for the complete list of restaurants all across the county!

Thanks for helping out with this effort. The Mecklenburg County Chapter of the the Autism Society of NC plays a vital role in the lives of many in our area. The proceeds for this event stay here in Mecklenburg County.

Thanks!
Nancy Popkin

YEAR 5 FOR SANDERSON FUND-RAISER

Thursday, April 23, will mark the fifth year of the Dick Sanderson Driving 4 Life golf tournament at River Run Country Club. The tournament started afte Mr. Sanderson was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2004.

Organizers say almost $500,000 has been raised to date, with the proceeds divided between the ALS Therapy Development Institute and Dick Sanderson and his family, who are coping with the expense of living with ALS.

Driving 4 Life is nationwide campaign supported by Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson, whose long-time caddie, Bruce Edwards, was diagnosed with ALS in 2003.

This year’s event is more than just a golf tournament. There’s also a fund-raising prize drawing, which includes a chance to win a 52-inch flat screen TV, a pair of airline tickes or a spa weekend.  Tickets will be available at the event or can be purchased from a committee member.

The golf tournament begins at 12:30.  A dinner at 6:30 p.m. is $75 per person, and includes dinner, drinks and live music by Davidson’s own Vinyl Tap band.

For more information, visit http://www.dicksandersondriving4life.org/

FUND-RAISING CALENDAR

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 12:30 p.m., River Run Country Club – Davidson Day School will host the 7th Annual Tee It Up For Davidson Day Golf Tournament and Dinner at the River Run Country Club. Captain’s Choice format, with prizes for low gross and low net, longest drive, closest to the pin and other achievements. All participants will receive lunch, beverages, 18 holes of golf, great golfer gifts and dinner following the Tournament. For online registration and sponsorship information, please visit www.davidsonday.org/teeitup .

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, all day, various locations – Annual Autism Aware Fare at Summit Coffee and other participating area restaurants. A portion of the day’s proceeds will be donated to the local chapter of the Autism Society of N.C. Details: www.autismawarefare.org.

APRIL 23-MAY 10, Overlook neighborhood, Mountain Island Lake, Huntersville – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity offer tours of the “High Performance Home by Schreiner Custom Homes,” built with eco-friendly materials and products. Public tours will raise funds for Our Towns Habitat for Humanity. Open Thursdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.HighPerformanceHomeNC.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 12:30 p.m., River Run Country Club – Fifth Annual Dick Sanderson Driving 4 Life Golf Tournament. Lunch provided at noon. The event honors local resident Dick Sanderson, who was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 2004, and raises funds to advance ALS research and assist the Sanderson family. The day also includes a raffle and a 6:30 p.m. fund-raising dinner, with tickets at $75 each. Registration and more information at www.dicksandersondriving4life.org.

Kate MacIntyre (David Boraks photo)

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 7-10:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – (NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Details in our Monday, April 20, news story. ) “Art for Life,” an evening of art, music, poetry and food, with proceeds to benefit the Kate Macintyre Foundation for lung cancer research and education. Tickets are $50 in advance, available at St. Alban’s church, or by calling 704-895-8955. For more information, visit the foundation website, katemacintyrefoundation.com/artforlife.htm (See also our March 12 preview of the event.)

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 7:30 p.m., Raceworld USA, 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, off I-77 Exit 28, Cornelius – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity invites the Lake Norman community to celebrate is selection as “Affiliate of the Year” by Habitat for Humanity International at a “Racin’ Rockin’ ‘n Roofin'” event with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and music and dancing with the Center City Groove band. Free, donations welcome. Reservations required by March 31. For reservations or information, contact Donna Nestor at donna@ourtownshabitat.org or 704-896-8957, ext. 1122. See our March 20 news report on this event.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1 p.m., River Run Country Club – Davidson Lions Club and other area Lions club host the annual Russell B. Knox Memorial Golf Tournament, with proceeds benefiting the club’s programs and services. Details: Ed Roberts, 704-892-0276. Details in our March 9 Fund-Raisers column.

Dr. Mehmet Oz

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, Mooresville – Dr. Mehmet Oz, heart surgeon, author and health expert on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” will speak about health and wellness and answer questions in a fund-raising appearance for HealthReach Community Clinic in Mooresville. The clinic offers free medical care to low-income residents. Advance tickets are required and may be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for $25 per ticket to the HealthReach Community Clinic, PO Box 1265, Mooresville, NC, 28115.  Guests donating $100 or more per ticket get preferred seating and  a private reception with Dr. Oz.

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 6-9 p.m., downtown Mooresville – “A Taste of Wine on Main Street.” Wine tasting at participating businesses along Main Street, with wine and food pairings donated by local restaurants, wine shops and wineries. Sponsored by Food for Friends outreach at Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church, to provide groceries for families supported through Winnie Hooper Center in Mooresville. Tickets available through Saint Patrick’s Episcopal, 201 Fairview Road (next to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center). Details: 704-663-5659.

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2-5 p.m., Davidson College Belk Arena – Davidson basketball player Bryant Barr and his teammates are organizing a youth basketball 3-on-3 tournament and silent auction of Davidson basketball gear to raise money for Nothing But Nets, an organization that provides mosquito nets to families in Africa to help prevent malaria. Open to kids 3rd to 8th grades. Silent auction begins April 26. Entry fee $50 per team. Details in our April 16 news item “Lobster nets,” and registration available online at http://davidsonbuzzkill.weebly.com/

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 5:30-9 p.m., Our Towns Habitat for Humanity ReStore parking lot, 20414 N. Main St., Cornelius – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity hosts its 2nd Annual Habitat for Humanity Car Show. Categories include sports cars, muscle cars, vintage cars, hot rods and show cars. With food, drawings, a DJ and dancing. All proceeds will help fund the 4th Youth United Habitat home. Tickets $1 general admission. Car Show entry fees are $20 for early registration and $25 the day of the event. To register a vehicle, please contact Sarah Heithoff at 704-896-9657, ext. 1120, or seithoff@ourtownshabitat.org. For more information, visit www.ourtownshabitat.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 16,, 3-6 p.m., Woodlawn School, Presbyterian Road off N.C. 115 – The Helping Paws Dog Show will raise funds for area shelters Project Halo and Lake Norman Animal Rescue while offering the public an opportunity to adopt dogs from Project Halo, a no-kill shelter. For registration information or to become a sponsor, go to www.helpingpawsdogshow.org or email info@helpingpawsdogshow.org. Details in our March 31 news item.

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