LAPLACE — It might have started with humble beginnings, but in less than three years the organizers of Perry’s Posse have touched the lives of hundreds of cancer patients across the River Parishes.

Members are known to some locally as the contributors behind the annual Perry’s Posse Huge Garage Sale, which has raised more than $18,000 since the annual event began in Garyville in 2014.

The nonprofit uses its funds to provide emotional, spiritual and financial aid to River Parishes residents actively undergoing cancer treatment.

Financial gifts are sent on days like Christmas, Easter and patient birthdays.

Perry’s Posse’s other outreach efforts include gas cards, utility bill payments or gifts baskets.

The active members are starting another tradition this month through a “BIG Raffle” drawing that includes a first prize award of LSU football season tickets donated by Kerry and Jane Brignac and a second prize award of a beautiful six-foot cypress swing donated by Matt Madere of M & M Woodworks.

Drawing winners will be announced Aug. 19 at the inaugural Perry’s Posse Benefit Dart Tournament at Airline Pub, located at Airline Motors, 221 E. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Raffle chances are $10 per entry and can be purchased at First American Bank in Gramercy and Lutcher, at the tournament Aug. 19 or by mailing a donation to Perry’s Posse, P O Box 2053, Garyville, La 70051-2053, which is tax deductible.

Sign up starts at 6 p.m., with the dart tournament starting at 7:30 p.m.

Casie Ellison, president of the River Region Dart Association, is running the tournament, which is a blind draw, two-person team format.

“It’s $20 per person to throw the darts,” Ellison said. “$10 goes to Perry’s Posse, and $10 goes to what we call the pot or purse. Usually, when people win the purse, they give back. That’s what this is all about; it’s for charity. Naturally, we also like to compete against each other, so that’s the fun part. It’s going to be a big day.”

Dart players’ names are thrown into a hat, and the teams will be chosen at random.

For those who are not dart players, the night boasts plenty of other highlights: Drink Specials, music and $5 jambalaya/pastalaya bowls cooked by Garland Landry and donated by Don’s Country Store and Gregg’s Neighborhood Supermarket.

The festivities also include a gift basket raffle and the “BIG Raffle” giveaway.

The event is extra special for Ellison, whose grandmother, uncle and aunt passed away after battling cancer.

An Ochsner Hospital employee, Ellison knows firsthand the struggles cancer patients go through.

“What Perry’s Posse is doing right now is helping this community so much,” she said. “It gives people hope. In a cancer fight, hope is almost all you have sometimes.”

Perry’s Posse member Joan LeBouef, a cancer survivor herself, says it amazes her how many people are helping the cause.

“In the River Parishes, we’re getting the word out,” she said. “It just takes a group of people to do a small thing. We never thought we would be able to help over a 100 people already. It just amazes me.”

For more information on the tournament, call 504-487-4364.