WHEELING - A group of local people want to give a voice to children who do not have the ability to express themselves.
The Third Alarm Bar on Wheeling Island will host a golf scramble to benefit Easter Seals and the Crippled Children's Home, which will use the proceeds to purchase iPads enabled with speech expression, or "augmented communication," technology.
It will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. May 19 at River Links Golf Course, Rayland. Teams can travel to Dorsch's Landing at 314 N. Front St., Wheeling, for a steak fry afterward.
Article Photos
Photo by Zach Macormac
Organizers of the Third Alarm Bar Golf Scramble prepare to raise cash to purchase iPads enabled with speech technology to help children who cannot hear or speak to express themselves. Pictured are, from left, committee member Rick Briding, member Tom Dorsch, Easter Seals Community Relations Director Jess Puglisi-Sanders and member Tom Vapnar.
Easter Seals Community Relations Director Jess Puglisi-Sanders said the iPad is a less clunky and cheaper alternative to more traditional technology available for individuals who cannot hear or speak. She said an iPad complete with the enabled "apps" usually cost up to $1,000.
Benefit committee member Tom Vapnar added this would allow the disabled youths to function better in society.
"They just want to be one of the kids," he said. "It's almost like a miracle if you think about it."
Vapnar said the inspiration came to him and fellow committee members Tom Dorsch and Rick Briding when they felt the calling to support a specific cause for children. That's when they called Puglisi-Sanders at Easter Seals.
"We asked if there's something on their wish list," Vapnar said, noting Puglisi-Sanders cited a need for the technology.
The three friends immediately got behind the cause and began planning the golf scramble. But Vapnar said there still is more work to do. The committee is seeking door prize donations, hole sponsorships and monetary contributions.
The scramble will include a number of prizes, such as a "closest to the pin" and "longest drive" competition.
For those skilled enough to sink a first drive, hole-in-one prizes will be given, including an automobile, new set of Callaway golf clubs, a flat screen television and two airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, all donated by Liberty Auto Group; and a $10,000 cash award from Gary Briding and Associates.
There is a 32 team cap with four people on each team. A golf cart is included with the entry fee.
The steak fry will provide other prize chances with raffles and games.
For more information or to register, call Dorsch at 304-281-4214 or Briding at 304-559-6442.
