Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The 2013 Annual 18 FORE Life Charity Banquet was an emotional heartfelt night of tears and laughter.
Local recipient, Becky Dennington and Ed Hearn, former professional baseball player were this year’s keynote speakers. Kerri Kruse welcomed over 500 people to the Elk’s Lodge and Rev. Michael Williams was gracious to give the invocation.
Scott Kruse spoke to the audience, occasionally laughing and every now and then his eyes would fill with tears. Kruse spoke of his late brother, Ben and how proud he would be to see so many people in the audience and join together for a common cause to help those in need and fighting cancer. “I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude for everyone that is here tonight and for everyone that contributes to this Foundation in so many different ways,” commented Kruse.
Kruse continued by saying, “We have numerous volunteers that help make this weekend possible, but many more who also work tirelessly throughout the year helping us to raise money and awareness of what we do.”
There was not a dry eye in the house after Ben’s friend, Chad Gaylord, gave a beautiful toast. The stories he told were quite humorous to say the least and that is one reason Ben was so loved and will be missed by so many. He was the ultimate amusing, friendly and congenial person to be around.
David Robinson who is a Dexter native but traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to attend and donate his service to providing the video produced a video tribute. This year’s video depicted love offering recipients or their caregivers a chance to display a printed sign with a word or phrase and defined their journey with the dreaded disease. Faith, Believe, Love
"It's been a long journey and good ride, but I so wish Ben was here to see this," commented Kruse.
Becky, a recipient of a 18 FORE Life love offering was diagnosed with non-invasive and invasive ductal carcinoma......Breast Cancer. At the age of only 31, she began a journey that would forever change her life.
After numerous treatments at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri, Becky found therapy in journaling about what she was experience and began a blog, "Deep Thoughts by Beck". Her blog caught the eye of a publishing company, LazyDay Publishing, which wanted to turn her blog into a book. In October of 2011, "Me and the Ugly C" was released on E-Book and in just two months was printed in paperback form.
Becky is the wife of Kelley Dennington to whom she just recently celebrated 18 years of marriage and has two beautiful children, Ryan (17) and Mallory (12). She is the proud owner of Tips to Toes in Bernie, Missouri.
LazyDay Publishing is graciously donating 100% of their profit of Me and The Ugly C to the 18 FORE Life Charity.
Ed Hearn who was called by The New York Times as "a hall of famer in the game of life", was the banquets was the guest speaker for the evening. He fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player and won a World Championship for the New York Mets.
A serious shoulder injury brought an end to his promising future in baseball and with it he learned a valuable lesson in life. Less than six months after he left baseball, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening health condition.
Not only did he survive one near death condition, but three as he has received three life-saving kidney transplants, a successful bout with cancer, and takes up to 50 pills per day. Ed spoke of his depression and his "pity parties" and realized his life experience could empower and uplift others around him. his courage, faith and determination speak volumes as many face life's challenges. He too wrote a book, "Conquering Life's Curves Baseball, Battles & Beyond" and he is founder of The Bottom of the Ninth, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to rebuilding the spirit and character of our nation.
