Fundraiser officials hope to pass $1-million mark

When Cindy Thomsen started a golf tournament at the Mesa Verde Country Club in 2003 to raise money for breast cancer research, the event brought in $30,000. Six years later, the event organized by Thomsen raised almost $250,000, beneficiaries announced Thursday.

Participants played 18 holes on the Mesa Verde course, pausing to drink wine every couple of holes. There were silent and live auctions, which gave the event its name: Reds, Whites and Greens Charity Golf Classic.

Three-fourths of funds raised are given to county hospitals and groups through grants to research and treat breast cancer, as well as educate people about it, according to Tami Thompson, the foundation’s director of development.

Thomsen hopes to raise enough at next year’s event to break the $1-million mark, cumulatively, for the time she’s hosted the fundraiser.

— Alan Blank