Tory's Tourney another Terrific Success!

Once again the Provenzano family friends and neighbours put together a fantastic day at Lakewood Golf Club in Tecumseh.

Close to a full field of golfers had another perfect day, and more than 300 people attended the dinner and auctions.

When all was said and done more than $30,000 had been raised to help fund Duchenne research projects this year. This brings the total to more than $200,000 to fund Duchenne research, that this and other events through the Provenzano family have raised.

Tory wanted to thank everyone for their great support and invite all of you back next August.

Jesse’s Journey Charity Golf Classic raises over $31,000 for research

On September 16, 2009 the Jesse’s Journey Charity Golf Classic was held at RiverBend Golf community. After 12 years this event has raised over $580,000. for research.

This year we had 98 participants in the field, the weather was perfect and the hospitality at RiverBend was outstanding.

Thanks to all the golfers, sponsors, silent and live auction donors, volunteers and committee members who participated and made the day a huge success.

For photos of the day visit our photogallery.

Brian Connor's Rice Lake Swim

ON BEHALF OF BRIAN CONNOR AND GEORGE BENNETT  A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SPONSORED THEM IN THEIR SWIM ACROSS RICE LAKE.

THE EVENT RAISED OVER $12,000.00 FOR RESEARCH

A boat at the dock, sunk by rough waters, could have been seen as a bad omen prior to a swim across a lake.

Undeterred, Brian Connor conquered Rice Lake Saturday morning in memory of his brothers Kevin and Terry.

The 54-year-old Cobourg native, who now lives in London, left the lake's north shore at Silver Leaf Cottages shortly before 8 a. m. with his swimming partner George Bennett, 47, also of London.

The swim was a fundraiser for muscular dystrophy research. Connor's brothers died of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Kevin at 16 and Terry at 18.

While stretching before entering the water Connor couldn't help but notice a small aluminum boat had sunk at the dock because of the high waves.

"It was pretty wicked at the start," he said.

"Then I saw a man bailing out a boat."

His heart pounding with excitement, Connor said, "I was pretty much ready to run across the water."

Throughout the swim what kept Connor going through the waves was the memory of two brothers and others battling MD.

"I thought about the kids with MD and what they go through every day just to take the next breath," he said.

"I figure if they can battle with that every day, it's nothing for me to swim across the lake."

Though the waves were high and the weather wasn't cooperating, Connor said he had no doubts about making it across the 4.5-kilometre distance.

"I'm Irish, and I knew I was going to finish. It's for muscular dystrophy and nothing was going to stop me."

When Connor first asked Bennett if he wanted to join him in the swim across Rice Lake, Bennett "looked at me like I was crazy," Connor said.

The goal of $5,000 was exceeded, but the exact total isn't yet known.

Moments after the swimmers stepped on shore at the Gore's Landing government dock, about three hours and 20 minutes after beginning their swim, Cobourg Fire Department Captains Mark Diminie and Kevin Schroeder presented Connor with a cheque for $1,300 raised at a recent fundraising carwash.

"I'd like thank the people from London along with the people from Cobourg and surrounding area for their interest in this great cause," Connor said.

Roughriders Charity Golf Classic & The Bradley/Cole McCullough Golf Tournament

The Roughriders Charity Golf Classic was held on June 2, 2009 at Deer Valley Golf and Country Club in Regina, SK. We would like to thank tournament organizers Mike McCullough and Jeremy O’Day-all the players, fans, and supporters for their ongoing support of Jesse’s Journey.

The Bradley/Cole McCullough Memorial Golf Tournament was held on August 22, 2009 at the Glen Lawrence Golf Course in Kingston, ON. Our thanks go out to all the family and friends that attended in support of McCullough family.

In total the tournaments raised over $25,000.00

2009 Fleetwood Country Cruize-In – over $200,000 to charities

London, Ontario – Londoner Steve Plunkett would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters, and volunteers for making the 2009 Fleetwood Country Cruize-In another great success. As the numbers were finalized, the show generated $201,000 for 25 different charities, including Jesse's Journey, Sunshine Foundation, ALS Society Camp, Komoka Optimists, SARI, London Regional Cancer Centre, The Grand Theatre and more.

Thousands of people attended the event on June 6 to see a record-setting display of nearly 3,000 classic cars, plus amphicars on the pond, an airshow, the grand opening of the Fleetwood Auto Salon and Tommy James & the Shondells in the bigtop tent, presented by OLG.

Spectators also got to walk the grounds and meet celebrities like Dave and Ian Thomas, Bobby Curtola, Gene Winfield, George Barris, and Candy Clark and Bo Hopkins from American Graffiti.

In case you missed it, the entire event was captured on film by Car Crazy Central, with plans to air it on television this fall.

Steve Plunkett is extremely pleased with this year's event, saying “every aspect exceeded my expectations – the weather, the number of celebrities, the number of people and the record number of classic cars that attended the show. The real bonus is the funds for charities, and the great fun everyone had!”

Please keep checking the website www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com for pictures from the event and details on next year's show!

Protek Bowl-a-Thon

Protek's Bowl-A-Thon was held on May 29, 2009 at the Bowl-O-Rama in London . Family and friends gathered together for a great night of bowling. The event raised $1,600. Thanks for your support! To view a slide show of the event Click here.

Walk the Block for Brock

This year, Walk the Block for Brock took place at Lakeview Park on Simcoe Street South in Oshawa , with the walk starting on the boardwalk at 8:30am. Nearly 100 participants walked, ran, rollerbladed or biked. The day was filled with family entertainment and live music - raising more than $20,000!

Since the Walk The Block For Brock started in 2006, over $100,000.00 has been raised by this event to fund research through Jesse's Journey.

Plans are already underway for next year's event.