The 11th annual Pearl Bowles Memorial Golf Tournament, the single biggest fundraiser for the Wyoming County Toy Fund, is scheduled Saturday, Nov. 28, at Clearfork Valley Golf Course with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.

Last year’s tournament raised more than $5,000 for the Toy Fund.

Entry fee is $50 per person for the four-person scramble.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third and fourth places and lunch will be provided to participants.

For more information or to register for the tournament, phone 304-682-6209.

Pearl Bowles was well known to area golfers who frequent Clearfork Valley Golf Course and Christmas was her favorite time of year.

With all proceeds going to benefit the Wyoming County Toy Fund, the tournament is again expected to provide substantial funding for the project as well as pay tribute to a woman who loved, not only Christmas, but people.

Pearl died Sept. 20, 1999 following a battle with cancer. She worked at Clearfork Valley Golf Course for more than 19 years, freeing her son, Toney Bowles, for outside duties.

Prior to her death, she and Toney had discussed hosting a holiday tournament to benefit the area’s needy children. Her family has done just that as a tribute to Pearl and to benefit the children Pearl had wanted to help before her death.

She worked primarily to have money to buy Christmas gifts for those she cared about, Toney recalled of his mother. It was nothing for her to give away “tons of homemade fudge” she’d made during the season, he said.

Each Monday until the Dec. 20 distribution party, between the hours of 6:30 and 8 p.m. in the old Pineville Junior High building, adjacent to the Pineville pool, work sessions to refurbish and clean used toys will be conducted, according to chairman Todd Houck.

Additionally, anyone wishing to drop off good, clean used toys, or new toys, may do so at this time.

Good, clean used toys may also be dropped off, during normal business hours, at Feller Insurance in Mullens and Oceana; any Volunteer Fire Department in the county; Pinnacle Creek Country Store; Calfee Funeral Home in Pineville; Marden Rehab in Oceana; Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (EDA) in Pineville; or the Mullens Movie Store.

Any individual, youth, church or civic organization wishing to volunteer their time are welcome to participate in the Monday sessions, Houck said.

More than 2,000 children will be invited, through the Wyoming County Department of Health and Human Resources, to participate in the Toy Fund distribution party, scheduled Dec. 20 at Wyoming County East High School. Usually between 1,200 and 1,500 of those invited will actually come to the party to pick up toys, according to organizers.

Due to the generosity of many individuals and businesses, primarily in Wyoming County and southern West Virginia, the Wyoming County Toy Fund has helped nearly 20,000 needy children receive Christmas toys, warm clothing, and other gifts over the past decade, Houck noted.

“This is an excellent opportunity for college-bound students to earn community service hours,” Houck emphasized.

Cash contributions may also be made at any branch of First Peoples Bank, First Century Bank, or First Community Bank, or, contributions may be mailed to L. Dale Stewart, Treasurer; P.O. Box 268; Matheny, WV 24860.

The Wyoming County Toy Fund is a registered non-profit corporation. Donations may be tax-deductible and those making donations will be listed in this newspaper.