Community opens hearts, wallets for Gleason Classic | Community Spirit

It's not a hard sell to get people on the beautiful golf course at Black Rock. But, sometimes, it can be hard - especially in this economy - to get people to open their wallets. Don't tell that to the people who came out for the Steve Gleason Golf Classic Monday. They not only golfed, they gave - and, gave big to raise money and awareness for the fight against ALS.

As reporter Ian Cull said in his story on Monday, Steve Gleason is not a golf tournament kind of guy. When he formed Team Gleason, he wanted it to be more rock concerts than golf tournaments and galas. But, once he knew this event would bring together his friends and former teammates, he got on board. Then, he must have felt the love when he saw the outpouring of support on the course Monday. And, he's taking this opportunity to give back to the community that's been praying for him for more than a year.

As you've probably heard, Gleason is battling ALS. But, he refuses to sit back and wait for this disease to take him away. He's fighting back and giving back, using Team Gleason to raise awareness and provide technology to other ALS patients.

He's helping to build an ALS residence in his adopted hometown of New Orleans. He's sending ALS patients on trips of a lifetime, like to the Super Bowl and to Tuscany. And, money raised from Monday's tournament will help students at his former high school and college, Gonzaga Prep and Washington State University.

Those organizations will have a LOT of help. They're not done counting yet, but the golf tournament raised more than $300,000. It's a big number, but anyone who knows Steve isn't surprised. Once you meet him, you want to give - because he has so much more to offer the world.

Steve took to Twitter Tuesday to thank everyone who came out - and, to share with Team Gleason's 13,000+ followers how much he is loved here at home: "So much luv in the PNW Thx to everyone who made it so... - SG"