Who was Steve Berry?
Steve Berry began working with the Marengo Fire Protection District in 2009 after retiring as a Lieutenant from the Elgin Fire Department where he had worked for nearly 30 years. Steve Berry was promoted to Captain with the Marengo Fire Protection District and served in the role for the final 2 years of his career. In 2015 Captain Berry was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. On July 12th of 2016, Captain Steve Berry lost his battle against cancer that he had courageously been fighting for the year prior. He was 63.

What is the goal of the annual golf outing?
We have made it our goal to keep Captain Berry's memory alive and honor his legacy with this annual golf outing. Each year we host this outing in his memory with a minimum of 50% of the proceeds going to benefit first responders and their families who are fighting cancer or another serious illness. If there are no local first responders in need, a donation is made in Captain Berry's honor to a charity with a larger outreach to help first responders. Additional funds are used to help fund scholarships for high school students pursuing a career in healthcare, the fire service or another related field.

What have we done in the past?
Thanks to our generous sponsors, in 2023 we were able to donate to 3 local first responders in their battles against cancer, as well as make a donation to The Budda's Brotherhood Foundation. The Budda's Brotherhood Foundation is a non-profit 501(C)(3) foundation that helps firefighters in Illinois who are battling cancer. It was Steve Berry's charity of choice. In 2024 we were able to continue this path with further donations to local first responders in need.

Golf Outing and Donation Details
This year our golf outing is Friday July 18th, at the Marengo Ridge Golf Course. Advertisment flyers will be posted soon! We ask for a donation of $100 to sponsor a hole, this could be in the form of a check, gift certificate, or goods and services. All sponsors will have a sign with their business name and logo on it placed throughout the course for the duration of the event.

If you are interested in forming a team for the event, registration flyers will be posted soon as well!

Please mail or bring any sponsorship items to the Marengo Fire Protection District Station 1 located at:

120 E. Prairie St.
Marengo IL 60152.

We can also arrange for donation pickup if local.

*The Marengo Fire and Rescue Association is a registered 501c3 organization that provides support to local community members and first responders in need. The association provides annual scholarships to local high school students and hosts various fundraising events throughout the year.