Writer / Tracy Line

In 2002, Chuck Lemasters came up with two great ideas: the first was to commemorate his 40th birthday in style; the second was to give back to his community. Lemasters found a way to do both by organizing his first charitable golf tournament. And thus, the AVC Auto Golf Outing for Special Olympics of Hamilton County (SOHC) was born. Now, 13 years later, you’ll still find Lemasters celebrating his big day on the links while he raises money for charity.

This year’s tournament, held August 1 at Bear Slide Golf Course in Cicero, attracted over a 100 golfers. Participants enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, and dinner. In addition, golfers had the opportunity to compete in a putting contest and bid in a silent auction.

“I’ve always wanted to help out,” says Lemasters, a lifelong resident of Cicero. Deciding what organization he wanted to raise money for came easy. “I watched my kids grow up with some special students,” he notes, “and these kids have always been in the back of my mind and heart.”

At press time, this year’s tournament was on track to raise over $10,000. Over the years, Lemasters has raised roughly $120,000 in total for Special Olympics. “My original idea was to raise $100,000 and then move on to a different charity,” he says. Yet after years of working with the folks at SOHC, Lemasters came to realize the non-profit was in great need of the money his event provided. This made the choice to continue his partnership with Special Olympics an easy one.

All profits raised at the golf tournament are used for the games, uniforms and transportation. “Most kids in Hamilton County can be part of Special Olympics at no charge,” says Lemasters. The funds also help assist individual families in need. Parents of children with developmental disabilities face a number of expenses, he says. “Trust me, they need the help.” SOHC now partners with Lemasters and AVC Auto to put on this annual event.

Lemasters opened AVC Auto, an automotive maintenance and repair center, in 1998. The company is named after his three children, Amanda, Vickie and Chuck. AVC Auto is an award-winning ASE Blue Seal Certified company. AVC places a high value on giving back locally. In addition to the golf outing, the company offers free oil changes to retired military personal on Memorial Day and for active duty military members on Labor Day.

While Lemasters has given much through his golf tournament, doing so brings him great pleasure. He cherishes the relationships he has formed with players, parents of the kids, and those who work for Special Olympics. “Over the years I’ve gotten to know quite a few of them,” says Lemasters, “and all of them are good people.”

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