By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena United Methodist Church hosted a golf tournament on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Timberline Golf Club to help benefit Billy Hinds and his family.

The tournament raised more than $1,000 in funds for the Hinds family.

Hinds has been one of the most prominent figures in the Helena community throughout the last few decades.

Hinds was a police officer in the Helena community back when there was just one officer, and he served for 25 years on the force.

Hinds was placed in the hospital after suffering a stroke, and the Helena community has already rallied around Hinds and his family by hosting a benefit dinner on July 14 to help the family out with medical expenses.

HUMC provided another opportunity for those wanting to help out the family with a four-man golf tournament on Aug. 15.

The cost to enter the tournament was $100 per player and lunch and prizes were also included in the tournament. Players also had the option to sponsor a hole for $50.

Jeff Burdette helped organize the golf tournament and said in addition to the $1,000 raised, the HUMC men’s group plans to match the $1,000 and present a total of $2,000 to the Hinds family.

“The weather was perfect and we were provided free range balls and the lunch was great,” said Burdette. “There were no complaints and we ended up having plenty of prizes for everyone.”