San Diego charity for cancer victims' kids struggles to support students

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A North County charity that helps students who have lost a parent to cancer is facing a drop in support for its annual fundraiser.

The group, called The Uncles, was founded three years ago by San Marcos High School teacher Josh Crouse in honor of a college friend who died of cancer, leaving behind two young children. The charity has since provided more than $25,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors.

One of those recipients is Norah McDowell, whose mother, Jenna, died from metastatic breast cancer five years ago. Norah, now a student at Brigham Young University, said the $5,000 scholarship she received made a major difference.

“It’s really helped with all of my housing, tuition and my dining plan, my books — all of that,” McDowell said.

Crouse said the group hopes to provide both financial support and emotional encouragement.

“We know that nothing we can do is ever going to bring their parent back or erase the pain,” he said. “But we’re just hoping to step in and help just a little bit.”

Most of the charity’s funds come from its annual I-Dogg Memorial Golf Tournament at The Links at Lakehouse Golf Course in San Marcos. In past years, the event has drawn 60 to 70 golfers, but this year, Crouse said registration is down by half with only a month to go.

“It can be expensive — $150 can be a lot of money for somebody to come out and play golf,” he said. “But in the end, the money goes to these kids who have been through an unspeakable time in their lives, and we get to help them.”

This year’s tournament is scheduled for Oct. 4. More information is available at theuncles.org.