Beloved CKCO host's legacy continues
The legacy of a former CKCO host lives on with the return of a beloved event.
Despite the rain early Thursday morning, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm at the Betty Thompson Golf Classic.
The event is an annual tradition run by the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Thompson spent most of her career at CKCO in Kitchener. She was welcomed into homes across the country as one of the beloved hosts of the children's program Romper Room.
betty thompson ckco ctv kitchener romper room
Miss Betty (Thompson) on Romper Room.
She was also one of the founding members of the local chapter of the Zonta Club. Throughout her life, her passion for the community was clear as she took on roles at the Salvation Army, the John Howard Society, the Victorian Order of Nurses and the United Way, among others.
In 1990 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Betty turned her personal tragedy into a public campaign focused on educating women about the importance of regular breast examinations.
She was still alive when the Betty Thompson Golf Classic first began in 1992.
She died two years later.
Despite her death, her indelible mark on the community remains, inspiring others to continue giving back.
'All the money raised is kept locally in our community and all to do with projects involving women and girls,' Brenda Graham, co-chair of the Betty Thompson Golf Classic, said.
Throughout the years, the event has raised over $1.3 million. The goal this year was $50,000.
'Last year we raised $48,000, so we had that money to give back to local projects. We received over $250,000 in applications from various organizations, all with projects for women and girls, that needed funds. We have to pick and choose what we can do and how much we can do. The need is so great,' Graham said.
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