For the second straight year, the RMHC Mid-Penn Region golf event raises more than $30,000 for children and their families
A loud roar of applause erupted as Jennifer Weyant addressed a crowd of nearly 150 golfers following the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Mid-Penn Region’s 23rd Annual Golf Outing on June 8, 2015 at Iron Masters Country Club in Roaring Spring, PA.
Jennifer wasn’t announcing the winning team or a hole-in-one — far from it. She was telling the story of how she and husband A.J., who was holding their 8-month-old son Jacob at the time, were able to be with their son while he spent the early stages of his life in a Pittsburgh hospital.
Jacob, who was born almost 3 months premature in October 2014, needed to spend a total of 76 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh to address neurological issues and other complications stemming from his early birth. During that time, the Weyant family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh to remain close to their son. Just before Christmas, Jacob was cleared to come home where he could be with his older brother Noah, then just 2 1/2 years old.
“We try to focus on the things that we do have, and are thankful for them,” said Jennifer, Jacob’s mom and this year’s event spokesperson. “He’s a happy baby. We’ll just continue to work through things as he gets older. Our journey is just beginning.”
For the second straight year, the RMHC Mid-Penn Region golf outing raised more than $30,000 for children and their families, just like the Weyants. NPC, Inc. served as the event’s major corporate sponsor once again.
So why does NPC continue to support this event?
“It’s really simple. Kids need to be with their parents, especially when they need to be in the hospital.”
Mark Barnhart
NPC Owner and Chairman of the Board
Mark Barnhart, along with Juqua Parker, Don Knisely and Frank Swalga made up one team, while Kirk Kissell, Hoby Bingham, Doug Rice and Jamie Eichenlaub comprised NPC’s second team that represented the company at the event. NPC’s Frank Swalga is a member of the RMHC Mid-Penn Region Golf Outing coordinating committee.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Penn Region supports not-for-profit groups whose programs directly benefit children in the areas of health care and medical research, including local Ronald McDonald Houses — in Hershey, Danville and Pittsburgh — as well as education and the arts, civic and social services. The chapter’s mission is to help develop, support and encourage programs which will enable children to live their lives to the fullest.
For more information or to make a donation, visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Mid-Penn Region website.