By David Esteppe
What does a 7-year-old girl do when her father passes away from cancer? She honors him.
“When my dad was in the hospital, I felt him tap me on the shoulder. He told me to put money in hospice so more people can get better,” said Kaylee Pippin.
Demonstrating compassion and enterprising beyond her years, Pippin began conducting raffles in and around her hometown of Callahan, Florida. In fulfilling her father’s wishes she raised $800 for HospiceCare’s Greenbrier Division for providing the wonderful care her father had received.
While fundraising in Florida, Pippin was contacted by the owners and board members of Valley View Golf Club in White Sulphur Springs. They had heard of Pippin’s efforts through friends and social media. They worked together to set up a golf tournament to raise even more money to support the ongoing work of the local HospiceCare unit that cared for Pippin’s father. “We heard about what Kaylee was doing in Florida for hospice here and decided to help her raise money,” explained Sara Jones, a Valley View board member.
The golf tournament was held during rainy cold weather on Oct. 2. Around 20 golfers gathered to support Pippin’s cause. “The weather was terrible, but we worked through it,” Jones added.
Following the golf tournament, organizers staged a community dinner and live auction with an opportunity to play the Old White TPC course at The Greenbrier Resort.
“Kaylee’s inspiration turned into one of the most successful fundraising events ever for HospiceCare,” said Missy VanBuren, local public relations and marketing coordinator for the nonprofit.
In addition to Pippin’s personal efforts in Florida, the inaugural “Golfin’ For Hospice” event at Valley View raised over $4,000 for HospiceCare’s Greenbrier Division in Fairlea. “Next year, we’re going to raise $5,000 at the golf tournament,” declared Lisa Boggs, who along with her husband, Brian, owns Valley View Golf Club.
Kaylee Pippin traveled to HospiceCare’s Peyton House in Fairlea to present a envelope containing the money she had raised in honor of her father.
Shaun Pippin was 27 when he lost his battle with cancer. He was the son of Rita and Mark Pippin, formerly of Asbury, but who now live in Florida.
For more information about how to support hospice services in Greenbrier County, please call 304-645-2700.