"Life can change in the blink of an eye." Renee' Reid Smith and hundreds of other friends, volunteers, committee workers and others know that only too well following the tragic death of renowned cancer survivor and breast cancer awareness activist Denise Bohn. From the first word of her death, a veritable army of people have rallied around Denise's children to do everything in their power to ease the pain and pave the way.
As Reid Smith and her colleagues collectively worked tirelessly following what Denise's brother Kevin termed "a defining moment in the lives of the kids," they plowed every waking moment into re-branding Denise's signature fundraising event dubbed "Save the TaTas" into the #DeniseBohnStrong Golf Outing with all proceeds destined for her children.
The resulting event proved to be yet another defining moment on a recent Saturday when a record setting turnout of golfers, friends, family and fans poured heart and soul into a full day of fun in remembrance of the vibrant young woman and dynamic community leader that Denise Bohn of Mid-West Family Broadcasting fame was to everyone who knew her.
Dave Doetsch, President of Mid-West Family Broadcasting reports that the full day effort has raised nearly $35,000 for the Bohn Stewart Education Fund established to assure that Denise's children will not be forgotten and left alone. Doetsch was one of the committee members who shepherded the event to its successful conclusion. Other members were Kim Thumm, Renee' Reid Smith, Mick & Marilyn Hart, Kim Poole and Ashley Wall.
A grand total of $34,727.03 has been deposited into the education fund as a result of the big event held at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club a month ago on Saturday, August 6th.
Denise's parents Jim and Connie Bohn have expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved. Connie tells me, "The amount raised for the children far exceeded our expectations." She has asked me to offer up "A heartfelt thanks to the committee that met weekly, the volunteers, golfers, radio station, hole sponsors, silent auction contributors, bidders…and on and on. We know how much work went into it. It is impossible to express how tremendously grateful we are to each and every one of you."
Organizers Kim Thumm and Renee' Reid Smith were also extremely grateful. Kim writes, "Thank you all for everything that you did to make the golf outing such a huge success. We did a great job of honoring Denise! Over the past four months, I have made some new friends and strengthened relationships with existing ones. I have learned that life is definitely too short and that we cannot take anything for granted because things can change all too quickly. We need to live life to the fullest. Although Denise was taken from us way too soon, I know that she is always with us. I feel her presence every day, encouraging me to go and be happy. I will forever have an empty place in my heart, but am forever grateful for the time I had with her."
Reid Smith says she echoes Kim's words, adding, "I still hear Kevin's words from the golf outing in my head that really said so much. He said that what happened 'was a defining moment in the lives of the kids'…but he went on to say that because of the outing where so many came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Denise, 'It would not define the rest of their lives.' It's so important to know the difference, and I feel so good to play just a tiny part of the golf outing to make sure this is so…that they are not defined by what took the lives of both of their parents. Not a day goes by that I don't think about, pray about, or say something about Denise and stop when I feel overwhelmed and say, "What would Denise do?"
The committee and the Bohn family are deeply grateful to the major sponsors who made the #DeniseBohnStrong Golf Outing a major league success. They include:
- 98.3 The Coast
- WSJM Sports
- Town Crier Wire
- JohnsonRauhoff
- KitchenAid
- LeValley Chevrolet Buick GMC
- St. Joseph Vein Center
As Denise's mother, Connie, sums it up…"These children will not only grow up knowing that they are loved by their family, but by an entire community." She adds…"They are all doing well." Sweet words to Denise Bohn fans and friends everywhere in the wake of a bittersweet event, and a sad defining moment in Michigan's Great Southwest.
