An area fundraiser has grown to become one of the biggest across eastern Iowa, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Camanche Muscular Dystrophy Association.
For a quarter of a century, people from the Quad Cities Area and even out of state, have participated in a basketball tournament to raise money for the Camanche Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The tournament has turned into a weekend long event. A hog roast dinner is planned for Saturday, March 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Imperial Lanes in Camanche. A silent auction and other games will follow as well as a cake auction. In the past, cakes have gone for $100 to $2,200.
There will also be a “Kiss the Pig” contest and a bag board tournament.
In 24 years, the event has raised $383,000. That money combined with money raised at the Camanche Fireman’s Breakfast in August makes Camanche, the largest donor per capita community for Muscular Dystrophy in eastern Iowa.
“I'm very proud of Camanche and what we've done,” said Cheryl Paasch.
Her twin sons were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when they were nine.
Friends wanted to help, so they started the basketball tournament.
“It's kind of cool how it's all evolved,” said Paasch.
Now 38, her sons need a wheelchair to get around, but Paasch says they don't let their inability be their disability.
“It's very heartwarming; it's helped my sons deal with their situation,” said Paasch.