Sheehan offers support to fund-raiser event

Professional golfer Patty Sheehan will lend her support in the annual Nevada Day Bash & Benefit this weekend.

Carson City District Court Judge John Tatro, his family and friends hold the fund-raiser to help a family struggling to put its life back together.

Sheehan, a Hall of Fame golfer and Reno resident, met with 12-year-old Stephanie Bond and her 7-year-old brother Trevor recently and visited with them.

This year's event, hosted by the Ormsby House, will benefit the Bond-Bryant family, who were injured in a fire that raced through their former home in Elko. The family now lives in Carson City.

Tatro said that Sheehan provided some autographed items for the auction and sale, as well as some star power to the fund-raiser event.

The children's mother, Lori, returned to her native Carson City after the fire. Every six months Trevor and Stephanie must travel to Sacramento, Calif., for skin graft treatment. Stephanie escaped the fire and returned to the burning home to save her brother, who suffered extensive second- and third-degree burns. A neighbor, who was also a police officer, reportedly grabbed Trevor from the fire scene and drove him to the hospital where he nearly died.

"This benefit started in 1997 when the Tatro family wanted to help their friend Denise Dunning, who was battling cancer," said committee member Kathy Jordan. "They were fortunate to get wonderful support from Bob Cashell at the Ormsby House and the event raised somewhere around $15,000."

Tatro added that with the support of such good people as Sheehan, the fund-raiser will continue to grow in size and scope.

"She thinks it's a great cause, and wants to help any way she can," he said.

Sheehan ranks No. 3 with career earnings of $5.4 million but she has not won a tournament since capturing the Nabisco Dinah Shore in 1996.

She won the LPGA Championship in 1983, 1984, 1990 and 1993 and she captured the U.S. Women's Open in 1992 and 1994.

Raffle tickets, good for a shot at a trip to the Super Bowl for two, a Disneyland trip for four, or $500 cash may be purchased by calling 888-9046. The Nevada Day festivities at the Ormsby House begin at noon and feature a barbecue, dance, live band and culminate with a fireworks show.

For information, call 882-7756, Marilyn Lewis at State Farm Insurance Office.