Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for April 14 Published April 4, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman and Airman KlynnePearl Serrano 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to take place April 14 at the Windy Trails Golf Course on base. The tournament is in memory of eight-year-old Sheridan Nicole Bautista who was born in Altus and passed away Dec. 8, 2011 after battling Osteosarcoma - a type of bone cancer - also to support the SSF, which was created by her and her parents. "The whole purpose of establishing Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation is to give back to the community and the hospital for all they have done for Sheridan and our family," said Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Bautista, Sheridan's father and co-founder of the SSF. The Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation is a non-profit foundation created to honor Sheridan by raising awareness of childhood cancer and by raising funds for cancer research. This foundation will also assist childhood cancer patient families with travel expenses. "There are so many kids in Oklahoma that have cancer and people don't know about it," said Bautista, who now works on Altus AFB as a contractor. "I didn't really give [childhood cancer] a second thought until my daughter had it and I went to the clinic and saw a sea of little kids that looked just like my little girl." "Oklahoma is ranked fourth nationally in childhood cancer deaths," Bautista said. "Cancer itself is an awful thing, but when it happens to a child...to me, it is even more devastating - someone who hasn't even gotten a chance to live a full life yet - so it is very near and dear to our hearts to get the money to help with cancer research." During the tournament there will be a Hole-in-one competition at hole 14 of the course. The winner of the contest will win a brand new truck. Other competitions during the tournament include closest to the pin and longest drive. There will also be a prize for the winner of the tournament. Also, during the tournament, the Altus Spouse's Club will be hosting a bake sale at Charlie's Lounge in support of the tournament. Fifty percent of all the proceeds from the tournament and bake sale will go to the SSF. The registration deadline for the tournament is April 10 for participants with military identification and April 6 for those without military identification. "As I learned about the courageous things Sheridan was doing with the last few days of her life, I couldn't help but get involved," said Maj. Chad Harris, chief executive officer of the 97th Mission Support Group. "It seemed an important way of giving back to the local community ... as a member of the Altus AFB team and Airlift Tanker Association I am honored to be part of this event." For more information about the tournament, contact Maj. Chad Harris at 481-6004.