Big “R” & Smokin’ Joe’s Comfort House with Golf Outing

A charity golf scramble will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Tamarack Golf Course located at 8900 N. Clare Avenue in Harrison to raise funds for the renovation of the Big “R” &  Smokin’Joe’s Comfort House in Hayes Township on Cranberry Lake Rd. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Lunch, raffles, and prizes will follow the scramble.  

To register for the scramble, you can go to the Harrison Moose Lodge or email Pohodad@yahoo.com. The scramble is also looking for sponsors, with sponsorship starting at Hole Sponsorship for $100, Food Sponsorship at $500, and Birdie Sponsorship for $1,000.  Businesses can also donate prizes for the raffles.  All proceeds go directly to the Big R & Smokin’Joe’s Comfort House.

The concept behind Big R & Smokin’ Joe’s Comfort Home is to provide a safe and family-oriented environment for end life care.  While medical care is provided (hospice) the facility will accommodate approximately five patients at a time with facilities for family members to visit including a kitchen and rest lounge. It is limited to five rooms as living quarters to remain a non-commercial, non-profit facility that will not charge patients beyond the medical care that will be covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

Things are really gearing up as the group has raised over $100,000 thus far through numerous fundraising events.  Gene Payne has volunteered to be the “Superintendent” of the project, coordinating with a project manager once one is found.  Currently they are working on supporting and securing foundation and roofing work. Once that is finished, they will move forward with CAD plans, perhaps partnering with Mid Michigan College’s certificate program, and will then seek to hire the necessary trade companies/individuals for construction, electrical, and plumbing.  It is hoped that much of the work will be done pro-bono.