A team of friends known as South Hills Association of Tailgaters (SHAT), who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, have proven their loyalty to Operation Enduring Warrior once again. Their Annual Golf Outing has raised more than $25,000 in total for the charity. Bruce Fuscaldo, a civilian, has participated in many events with OEW and is the key that has connected these two entities. Once introduced, SHAT embraced the need and will to support our wounded military any way they can.
The Annual SHAT Golf Outing held on July 21 has been hosted by Village Green Golf Course in Hickory PA four years in a row. The 2018 event provided a day of golfing, food and drink for the military-loving golfers. Through the event there were many donations and hole sponsors helping to elevate this year’s overall total of $7,500. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) donated $1,500 collaborated by Ron Bauer and Marcia Tongel, Noblestown Shop & Save donated water and soft drinks, Ted Thompson’s Heating and Cooling provided hours of planning and research plus a cash donation to make a great outing, all orchestrated by Joe and Tammy Speeler. Cart giveaways provided for the golfers in their SHAT drawstring bag included: Shat Under Armor hat, OEW wristband and SHAT golf balls. Additional funds were raised with the help of Asian Auctions by such prizes as an autographed football of James Harrison, a PS4, many restaurant gift cards, lottery tickets, cash prizes, and four fantastic baskets donated by Jason Oskamp from a high quality cigar basket to Pitt University gear.
Prior to the event start all foursomes posed for team pictures in front of an OEW backdrop. Each team member was presented a framed copy during the dinner. OEW representative, Jonathan “Hedgy” Pollitz, drove 2 hours from Cleveland to meet the golfers. He painted a picture of how SHAT contributions have helped change the life of one Adaptive Athlete in particular. He shared the story of Reuben who, once completing skydive training, was able to drop out of a plane with his girlfriend where he landed first and pulled out a “Will You Marry Me” flag. The ripple effect from SHAT to OEW has created many friendships and played a small part in a couple to be married.
SHAT initially started the golf outing for Harv Kappeler who served in Vietnam. His family continues to represent and honor his service. Four years ago OEW was added to the Promotional Golf Outing and is going stronger each year. This event wouldn’t be successful without the help of the many who coordinate all that needs to be done! Thank you goes out to: Krista Dankowsky for pictures, Christy Bonnetti & Kim Thompson for set ups, closest to the pin, and distributions of prizes, Mark Thompson and Paul Bonnetti for calculation of scores, Sean Williams who donated $1000 and produced signage by CDI Printing for Hole Sponsors, and John Butchko and Dan Savage for Public Relations & orchestrations.
SHAT is ready for 2019 already and striving to make more money and memories for our beloved OEW members!
