Recent News – Page 2

Golfer’s Support Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Families

November 15, 2023 By Christine

Olde Homestead Golf Club, Club members, visiting golfers, The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, and local businesses partnered in early September to offer 3 days of skill challenges to support families traveling to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital for medical needs. Recently, many of the partners gathered on the deck of Olde Homestead to present a $6,300.00 check to Hospital representative Kate Booth.

Kevin Edwards, Olde Homestead’s Director of Golf, and Bill Hankee welcomed the golfers and offered them 4 Closest to the Pin skill challenge opportunities. The 4 winners each day had 2 prize options. They could select a $75.00 Olde Homestead gift card or a $100.00 donation to the hospital in their name. Twelve winners directed their prize to the hospital. This shows the very caring nature of our friends and neighbors.

Event Sponsors were 8 OAKS Farm Distillery, Ken & Jean Zellner, Waelchli Family Pediatric Cancer Initiative, and The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund. The Hole Sponsors were Frances & Deborah Molchan, Walnutport Door Company, Christman’s Septic Service, William Trembler TS Advisors LLC, Livengood Excavators Inc., Ray & Hope Thorne, Jim & Jill Tilney, and Harding Funeral Home Inc. Prize Sponsors were Justin Smith – General Manager of Olde Homestead Golf Club, AF Boyer Hardware & Guns, and The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund.

The winners are as follows: Closest to the Pin: Day 1- Hole #4 John Malosh, #9 Greg Olesak, #17 Randy Prymock, and #18 Chris Moser. Day 2- Hole #4 Pat Butler, #9 Trevor Herrick, #17 Tom Laputa, and #18 Trevor Herrick. Day 3- Hole #4 Kristine Landis, #9 Scott Wood, #17 Harry Alderfer & Mike McGinnis, and #18 Brad Bender & Kevin Landis.

We wish to thank all who supported this worthy community event, especially Glen, Sally and Justin Smith for offering this beautiful club for many worthy causes throughout our community!

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the third largest children’s hospital in Pennsylvania, offers the most comprehensive care for children in our community from primary care to pediatric specialties. The hospital provides specialized, advanced, family-centered care. It is supported by over thirty pediatric specialties and provides 24/7 Children’s Emergency Room service and inpatient intensive care.

2023 Golf & Sponsorship Information

February 18, 2023 By Christine

Thanks to you, we have addressed the needs of many Lehigh Valley families.

“COURSES THAT CARE – MILES THAT MATTER”
Our “Courses that Care, Miles that Matter” golf schedule is now available.
These golf events will be starting in April.
NOTE: Most courses cannot enter tee times earlier than 2 weeks prior to the event.
Thank you for your consideration.
2023 KHMF Golf Schedule

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT – WHITEHALL GOLF CLUB –
The AM flight is now full and we have a waitlist. PM is still open.
Our Annual Tournament held at Whitetail Golf Club, is Sept. 9^th. Most costs related to our Sept. 9 Tournament have increased, however, we are keeping all Sept. 9 pricing the same as 2022. As always, you will find good value in our sponsorship and golf pricing.
This year we are providing 2 registration forms.

FORM A is for:
* Sponsorship options (Some sponsorships include team play on Sept. 9.)
* Team Registration with full team payment included with your form
Form A – Sponsorships & Team registration

FORM B is for:
* Single players
* Teams with players paying separately
(If you have a full team, please make sure each member receives this form.)
Form B-Individual Golf Form

DEADLINES:
*June 1 – AM 7:40 tee time Deadline with payment
*July 1 – PM 1:15 tee time Deadline with payment

We are anticipating an uptick in participation this year.
Please be aware of the registration and payment deadlines.
Thank you for supporting Lehigh Valley Families addressing critical needs.

Please share our Golf Schedule and Sponsorship Opportunities.
Thank you for your consideration.
Need more information?
Contact us at krystafund@gmail.com or call /text Bill 610-217-3625

Friends of Logan “Pay it Forward”

December 6, 2022 By Christine

Four-year-old Logan Jack Stokes, son of Adam and Ivelisse Stokes, passed away on May 24, 2022, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Beginning at birth, Logan’s parents, family, doctors, medical staff, and a caring community put forth a powerful effort to keep him healthy, happy, and strong. Logan also put forth an equal effort, however, with little improvement. He was placed on a wait list for a double organ transplant that never materialized. (Twenty people die every day in America waiting for an organ transplant). Logan was playful and happy, despite being connected to supportive medical equipment. This did not deter him from being an active little boy.

At the funeral it was obvious to all that letting go was going to be very difficult for Logan’s friends and family. The only comfort realized was that for the first time in his life, Logan was free from cords leading to medical equipment. The friends of Logan, however, were not ready to let go. They were determined to have Logan’s essence continue in the form of care for others. They organized a charity golf event at Allentown Municipal Golf Course and raised $7,500.00. The money was donated to the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund. Why this particular family service organization? The KHMF helped Logan’s parents with transportation costs related to the many trips they made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund also paid the cost of a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, for Logan’s specialized evaluation and service. Logan’s family also received a tremendous amount of support from Logan’s father’s workplace. Logan’s family and friends created the “Friends of Logan” initiative to recognize and pay forward the love and care that was given to Logan. Their $7,500.00 donation to the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund will provide approximately 50,000 miles of travel for Lehigh Valley families traveling far and wide to address critical needs. “Friends of Logan” have truly used their grief as a foundation to deliver goodness to many families they may never meet.

Rich Cook, Chris Fenstermacher, Bill Hankee, Christine Cook, Jude Weil,
Chris Hankee, Bill James and Adam Stokes

About Logan

Logan Jack Stokes was born at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with a condition called Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He was scheduled to receive the Norwood procedure, which is 3 heart surgeries over the space of 3-5 years to help remedy his condition. Unfortunately, Logan had complications and by the time he was 18 months old, had been through 5 surgeries. This brought on another condition called Pulmonary Vein Stenosis which is in-curable. His only chance of survival was to have a heart and lung transplant. Logan was on the transplant waiting list at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for 14 months. Further evaluation concluded he would not survive the surgery due to a high number of compromised veins. His medical team made the difficult decision to remove him from the list.

Following this, Logan had a second opinion at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri. Their insurance would not provide medical transportation so they bought a bigger car, rented an oxygen machine that would work for long trips and set off. After 2 weeks of assessments, it was decided that Logan would not make it through the surgery. Logan’s family then returned to the Lehigh Valley and comforted him with loving care. From the time that Logan had Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, he received stents every 3 months to keep his veins open for as long as possible. Unfortunately, Logan became very sick again in November, and spent the last 7 months of his life in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Logan had to spend over 50% of his 4-year life in the hospital. He was on oxygen support from 4 days old and also on a feeding machine. His parents would work from the hospital and stay in Philadelphia or drive back home every day. Logan is sorely missed by all who knew him. “Friends of Logan” are proud to remember him by helping others.

“HELPING KIDS BE KIDS AGAIN”

November 14, 2022 By Christine

MVP GOLF EVENT IN SUPPORT OF LEHIGH VALLEY REILLY CHILDREN’S HOSTPITAL

Olde Homestead Golf Club, their members, visitors, and sponsors came together on September 3,4, and 5 to raise money in support of families in need, traveling to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. Olde Homestead partnered with The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund and local charity minded businesses and residents to provide three days of “Closest to the Pin” skill challenges. Four skill challenges were awarded each day. Day one was crowned with an amazing “HOLE IN ONE!” on number 17 by Lauralee Hoenisch of Schnecksville. Lauralee is an Olde Homestead member and sank the 97-yard shot using an 8 iron and Calloway Chrome Soft golf ball. Also on Day One, a product sample session on number ten tee box was presented by Eight Oaks Farm Distillery. On October 11, Representatives for Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital visited Olde Homestead Golf Club where they were presented over $5,000.00 in support of the families they serve.

On Sept. 3, 4 and 5, Kevin Edwards, Olde Homestead Director of Golf, and his staff collected $20 donations from challenge participants. Prior to the event, Bill Hankee of the Krysta Hankee Memorial fund secured prize sponsors. The Event Sponsors were Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, and Danny Waelchli of the “Something for Sharon Waelchli Family Initiative.”
Hole Sponsors were Walnutport Door Company, Simplex, Harding Funeral Home, William Trembler-Lincoln Investment, Ken & Jean Zellner, Tim & Priscilla McGinley, Joe Tocyloski – Meeder Investments, and Ray Thorne. Door Prize Sponsors were A.F. Boyer Hardware & Guns, The Booth Family, Justin Smith – General Manager of Olde Homestead Golf Club, and The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund. Our Sign Sponsor was WilliamSIGNS.

The letters MVP used in the title of the event usually stand for “Most Valuable Player.” In this case, the letters stand for “Members, Visitors, Pediatrics.” This event was a three-day skills challenge with four winners selected each day, twelve winners overall. Each winner had the choice of a $75 gift card to Olde Homestead or have one hundred dollars donated to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital in their name. We are happy to report that ten of the twelve winners picked the one-hundred-dollar donation. The winners are as follows: Closest to the Pin: Day 1- Hole #4 Dave Bilcher, #9 Oscar Gasahb, #17 Lauralee Hoenisch (Hole in One), #18 Ben Antonchak. Day 2- Hole #4 Scott Inhoffa, #9 KK Banerjee, #17 Donald Garber, #18 Nick Bossler. Day 3- Hole #4 Tyler Reedman, #9 Mike Oberholzer, #17 Tim Herb, #18 Chip Buck. Olde Homestead and The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund wishes to thank all who supported this community strengthening event.

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital is the region’s only children’s hospital. The hospital provides specialized, advanced, family-centered care. It is supported by over thirty pediatric specialties and provides 24/7 Children’s Emergency Room service and inpatient intensive care.

Pictured left to right: Chris Hankee-KHMF; Kevin Edwards-Director of Golf Olde Homestead: Kate Booth-Director of Individual Giving LVHN; Dan Waelchli-Waechli Family Initiative, Bill Hanke-KHMF: Justin Smith-General Mgr. Olde Homestead; Michelle Huzela-Keiser-Community Engagement Mgr.8 Oaks Distillery.

Unsung Hereos

February 18, 2021 By Christine

Thank you for this Honor!

2020 Unsung Heroes Recipients
William & Christine Hankee

Nominated by: Ann Wertman

Nomination essay

—

Krysta Hankee, a Northwestern Lehigh High School graduate and resident of Germansville, was a compassionate, focused, athletic, and motivated go-getter; “no” was not in her vocabulary. At age 22 her profile of accomplishments in education, athletics and the community filled two pages. In May of 2007 Krysta graduated with a degree in Marketing/Foreign Business after studying at the American University Kogod School of Business in Washington, D. C. and New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Her parents, William and Christine Hankee reveled in their daughter’ s future as she landed a promising position as assistant project manager at Triangle Equities of Whitestone, New York. Her mindset was that of a future leader and she had stated she was going to become Governor of Pennsylvania.

Her potential was never realized as all these dreams were tragically lost on September 23, 2007, when she collapsed in a gym and was declared brain dead five days later. In their deepest period of sorrow, her parents and brother Kyle found comfort in Krysta’s final heroic act through organ, tissue and corneal donorship saving the lives of five strangers and enhancing the lives of many others. In their hearts, they were joyful that a small part of her existence lived on.

But there had to be more.

It is often stated that out of death new life emerges and in tragedy one finds their life’s purpose. Even during their darkest hours, the goal of Krysta’s parents, both retired Kernsville Elementary School teachers, became carrying on their daughter’s legacy.

While Bill and Chris remained in New York to carry out Krysta’s wishes of organ donation, friends, neighbors and the community assisted with burial details, arranged a funeral luncheon, and laid the groundwork for a memorial scholarship at Northwestern School District in lieu of flowers. The scholarship collected $18,000 within a year. Bill stated, “No family is ever ready for their 22-year- old daughter to pass away, but we’re lucky because we learned what a really great community can accomplish in times of need. A caring community is everything.”.

But there still had to be more.

In 2007 Bill and Chris founded The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3), funded by golf tournaments and many wonderful supporters. The Fund, now partnered with more than 30 Lehigh Valley agencies, maintains and supports the Fund’s three missions:

• To maintain the “Krysta Cares (KC) Flight Club” to implement worthy community building and family support initiatives identifying needs within the community and through partnerships with service providers. Awards include adaptive equipment and “Miles that Matter” gift gas cards which have enabled hundreds of needy individuals to travel more than two million miles for required services.

• To provide Leadership and Community Service Scholarships to worthy students. Applicant prerequisites for scholarship awards at Northwestern Lehigh High School and Lehigh Carbon Community College exemplify Krysta’s community strengthening traits. Scholarship awards up to $4,000 per individual now total more than $129,000. The awardees become part of the Hankee Family as they progress along their educational pathways.

• To increase organ, eye, and t issue donation awareness/ registration and the great need for these gifts of life.

A partnering agency, the Allentown Morning Call, in their 2019 “Be an Angel” campaign coverage quoted Bill – “Losing Krysta was unbelievably difficult, but we discovered that the best way to help ourselves is to help others.”.

Angel Krysta, be proud – through the caring, ambitious legacy your beloved parents, Bill and Chris, have established you live on as a role model for many.

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