Rite Aid golf tournament makes miracles
Rite Aid hosted their 16th annual golf tournament on Monday, May 21. Supplier partners from across the country came to Harrisburg, PA in support of the yearly event that raises money for local member hospital, Penn State Children’s Hospital.
More than 60 foursomes of golfers took to two courses in the greater Harrisburg area. A great day of golfing was capped off with an evening reception at West Shore Country Club. The reception featured both silent and live auctions, Cubbie plush bear sale, announcement of contest winners and, most importantly, a chance for the golfers to meet one of many children they supported through their fundraising efforts – Lilly.
Lilly’s Story
When Tom Isbell arrived at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center that July morning in 2006, it was supposed to be a regular day at work as a pathology technician. Then he got a phone call from the chaplain. His wife, Wendy, and unborn baby had been hit by another vehicle in a terrible accident. To save their lives, Wendy needed to deliver early. Lilly was born at just 29 weeks. “She barely fit into the palm of both of my hands. She weighed 2 pounds 14 ounces and was born blue,” Tom recalled. The path to recovery for Lilly and Wendy would be a long one. Lilly was born with a heart condition and a brain hemorrhage. She needed open heart surgery, physical therapy and faced other developmental issues as she grew.
In 2017, Lilly attended the I Can Shine bike camp, which helps kids with challenges learn how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. She loved it! In addition to funding the equipment Lilly needed during her hospitalization, events like the Rite Aid golf outing support medical camps like I Can Shine. These camps help kids build confidence and self-esteem. Kids also love meeting new friends who share similar medical journeys. Most of all, it’s a chance for kids to experience childhood!
The golf tournament raised more than $300,000. Thank you Rite Aid for a spring full of fundraising for CMN Hospitals, including the annual in-store campaign which wrapped up on Saturday, May 19.