ST. MARYS, OH (WLIO) - St. Marys Tailgate for Cancer held a banquet Saturday evening to celebrate 15 years of fundraising and those who made it all possible.
The organization divided the $154,000 they raised in 2023 amongst several local non-profits, Grand Lake Health Cancer, and a cancer research hospital in Columbus. In the 15 years they've had the tailgate, their final total raised is $1.9 million. Guests could also check out old photos, newspaper clippings, and checks presented over the years to see just how much the mission has grown.
"In our first year, we wanted to raise $5,000 and we were able to make contributions of $25,000 that first year. And when you're able to go from that, up to there were a couple of years that we over $160,000, $170,000. So we've been very successful," said Tami Sanford, the treasurer of St. Marys Tailgate for Cancer.
2023 was the last year for the tailgate, but organizers will continue hosting their lake poker run and golf tournament events in the summer.
