Propane industry holds event to support worthy cause

For the past seven years, the propane industry coalition Pros4Care has teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to host a charity event that raises funds and awareness for a disease that many in the propane industry have battled.

Pros4Care is an initiative that Ed Varney of Emerson Process Management and former LP Gas Editor Pat Hyland, now of the Propane Education & Research Council, cofounded out of concern for the risk older men, specifically from the propane industry, face from the disease. Its golf event has generated more than $250,000 since 2007.

This year’s fundraiser will take place Nov. 16-17 at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas. It includes a free reception and concert featuring country singer-songwriter and three-time cancer survivor Thom Shepherd.

At the golf tournament this year, prostate cancer survivors play free. Special guests slated to appear include Major League Baseball (MLB) alumni Jose Guzman, Pat Mahomes, Ken Suarez, Larry Hardy and Mike Bacsik Sr. as well as former National Football League (NFL) linebaker Ken Jolly.

The winner of the golf fundraiser will be awarded the William McHenry trophy, in honor of the late propane industry leader. The former National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) chairman, founding member of the Propane Education & Research Council, and LP Gas Hall of Famer succumbed to the disease in 2003.

Auction items and prizes – including items from the National Hockey League, NFL, MLB and Professional Golf Association – will help raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

To learn more about this event, check out the website or call the Texas Propane Gas Association at 800-325-7427.