Benefit raises $23,000 for Coach Peterson

RONAN - When it comes to supporting one of their own, the

Mission Valley always seems to come through.

RONAN - When it comes to supporting one of their own, the Mission Valley always seems to come through.

The community raised $23,000 last weekend for Ronan softball coach Tom Peterson at the Coach P Golf Scramble and Benefit last Saturday. Peterson was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, and the money raised will help offset his medical expenses.

The golf scramble saw 34 teams show up to the Mission Mountain Golf Course in Ronan, despite relatively short notice.

"It was pretty awesome," one of the event's organizers, Clayton Curley said. "It was good seeing the teams come out for Tom."

There was a raffle along with silent, live and Calcutta auctions to raise money for Peterson, who was present at the benefit and very thankful of the support.

"I'm sure he would have done the same thing for any of us," Curley said. "It was one of the biggest turnouts at the golf course."

Ronan school employees, coaches, teachers and administrators delegated the responsibilities for organizing the benefit and coming up with items for the auctions in support of their colleague.

"Everyone in the school district came through," Curley said.

People from all around the state helped out with the benefit, by donating items for people to bid on.

Ronan head football coach Jim Benn was one of the event organizers and Jamie Buhr helped out with the financial side of things. Matt Olson helped out by holding the live auction as well.