Rebecca Enns with her father Jim Peters and her sons Titus and Theo.

Six-year-old Theo Enns can’t wait to host his own “Little Chips for Parkinson’s” event when 12 of his young friends will fundraise and play a round of mini-golf at the Golf Dome in Winnipeg this September, in honour of his grandfathers  Jim Peters and Rudy Enns, who both live with Parkinson’s.

His mother Rebecca Enns came up with the idea, when Theo expressed an interest in the “Chipping In for Parkinson’s,” nine-hole, best ball golf tournament she and her father have hosted the last two years to raise funds and awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

Theo wanted to attend the evening event, but it extended well past his bedtime. When he asked his mother if he could have his own tournament, she came up with the “Little Chips” plan. Theo and his younger brother Titus will take part in and fundraise for the event, along with their young friends. “We hope all the children have a good time,” says Enns. “If it goes well, we may look to expand the event next year.”

“Chipping In for Parkinson’s” – the adult version – raised more than $12,000 last year and more than $20,000 this year. Despite dreary weather, more than 70 golfers came out to support Jim and the local Parkinson’s community. “Not a single person complained. They all just told me how thrilled they were to be there to support us,” says Enns.

“It’s so rewarding to see your friends and family, and even people you don‘t know, give you their support,” says Enns. The biggest reward, she says, would be a cure for Parkinson’s. Both her father and her father-in-law live with the disease. “In the meantime, we’re helping to provide more resources to those who are being diagnosed.”

Enns also credits Parkinson Canada staff in the Winnipeg and Toronto offices, with helping her to promote her event and advising her along the way.

Alexis Farrell serves the ball at “Volley for Johnny.”

Alexis Farrell of Barrie, Ontario, says her Parkinson Canada Community Development Coordinator Anne McNamara has been “amazing,” helping out with sponsors, registration and contacts for her “Volley for Johnny” beach volleyball event the past two years. “She even walked me through getting a city permit,” says Alexis. She connected with McNamara after contacting Parkinson Canada through its website.

Last month, 120 people participated in “Volley for Johnny,” raising about $6,300 and last year, they raised about $5,500. Teams of six to eight players, paid $200 per team to play in a well-organized beach volleyball tournament. Sponsors added to the total by supplying coffee and donuts (Tim Horton’s); gift cards for snacks and drinks (Metro Grocery) and pizzas for half price (PIE Wood Fired Pizza.) The local CTV station also covered the event on its news cast, providing more awareness of Parkinson’s.

“I was so surprised that everyone said yes to helping out. All I had to do was ask,” says Farrell, who is inspired by her father Johnny Farrell, who has lived with Parkinson’s for eight years.

“If you choose an activity you love, and you’re passionate about a cause; it makes all the hard work worth it,” says Nathaniel Bendahan, who started up “Playing for Parkinson’s,” a tennis tournament in Gohier Park in Saint Laurent, just outside Montreal.

Bendahan just launched his fifth, six-day tournament since 2012. This year the tournament runs from July 14 to 16 and July 21 to 23. He hopes his father Jacques, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s  more than 20 years ago, at age 48, can make it to watch the finals.

“I was only two years old when my father was diagnosed, so I’ve seen how the disease has affected his life, as well as my mother and my sister and I,” says Bendahan, who is now studying neurology at Queen’s University.

My Dad was actually able to play in the tournament two years ago, he says. This year he hopes his father can watch the final match. The tournament has grown from 40 to 65 players, with each player paying a $20 registration fee.  And some people make additional donations. Each year, they’ve raised between $1,000 and $1,500.

Yanni Lambropoulos, Nathaniel’s main connection to the tennis community, has taken on a big part of organizing the event, including securing city permits and making calls. “We’ve had some nationally ranked players take part,” says Bendahan proudly.

This year, staff from the Parkinson Canada in Quebec office in Montreal attended the tournament opening and helped out by supplying pamphlets and lending support. “I’ve always looked to Parkinson Canada for assistance,” says Nathaniel,” and they always come through.”

If you’ve got an idea to “Fundraise your Way,” Parkinson Canada can help you make a difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s. We’ve developed an event program to support you in making your community event a great success.

Join Rebecca, Jim, Theo, Titus, Alexis, Nathaniel and Yanni and make your plans to Fundraise Your Way. Visit http://donate.parkinson.ca/yourway  for more details.