Wildwater Ocoee Basin Canopy Tours and Rafting is hosting its 10th annual “Raft/Zip for the Cure,’’ a benefit for the MaryEllen Locher Foundation, on Oct. 8.
Events will include zipline canopy tours for any donation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and Ocoee River rafting at 2 p.m. for a donation of $100 per six people. A noon lunch reception will honor survivors. All proceeds will be donated to the foundation.
The MaryEllen Locher Foundation is a college scholarship program for children who have either lost a parent to breast cancer or have a parent who is a breast cancer survivor. This year 41 students representing 21 high schools in Chattanooga and North Georgia received scholarships.
For more information and to make reservations for the zip and rafting events, contact Hannah Godfrey at 423-548-5100 or orbctmanager@gmail.com.
Reservations may also be made by visiting wildwaterrafting.com/locations/wildwater-ocoee or by calling 866-319-8870.
The MaryEllen Locher Foundation was founded in 2002 by MaryEllen Locher, a well-known WTVC news anchor and health reporter. She started the foundation because she was concerned about the future of her own son. Ms. Locher died of breast cancer in 2005 after her third bout with cancer.
Over the past 15 years, the foundation has awarded over 420 scholarships totaling $707,000.
“MaryEllen trusted in God’s plans for her, but as a mother, she was concerned for her son Alex and his future,’’ said Jan Moses, a close friend and executive director of the foundation. “She wanted to help ease the burden of cancer for other families. Now, we carry on her vision for assisting families. MaryEllen’s heart is felt in every scholarship we are able to award.’’
Funds for the foundation are raised through special events, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and private grants. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.
In 2014, the organization launched “Mel’s Club,’’ a breast health awareness and education program for teen girls. Presentations are available for schools, churches, civic organizations and clubs.
For more information about the MaryEllen Locher Foundation or to schedule a “Mel’s Club’’ presentation, contact Cindy Pare, administrator, at 423-490-4555 or cindy@melfoundation.org.
Visit the website at www.melfoundation.org or find more information on the foundation’s Facebook page.