Golfers swing the sticks to support Urbana sports fan

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007

Golfers swing the sticks to support Urbana sports fan

Chris Brown |

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Tom Fedor⁄The Gazette

Shannon Edwards of Frederick reacts as his ball skirts the cup during the Dillon Papier Charity Golf Tournament held Monday at the Hollow Creek Golf Club in Middletown. Edwards and dozens of other golfers from around the region participated in the event, which included contest such as this one, where golfers donated $10 per chance to sink a putt and win a television. Papier, 5, lives in Urbana and is fighting Niemann-Pick Disease, type C, a rare and fatal ailment.

The golf outing held to raise money for Urbana Highlands resident Dillon Papier was a success according to event organizer Michael Hayden.

Papier, a 5-year-old kindergartner, was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C, a rare childhood genetic condition that slowly degrades the nervous system.

According to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, the condition is always fatal. The vast majority of children die before age 20, and many die before the age of 10. Late onset of symptoms can lead to longer life spans but it is rare for any person with the disease to reach age 40, according to the foundation.

Dillon was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick when he was only six weeks old.

Hayden said the event’s organizers had hoped to raise money to help Dillon and his family fight for a cure for the fatal disease.

Hollow Creek Golf Club hosted the benefit, and a full field of 144 golfers played Monday afternoon. The golf game was followed by a dinner and silent auction, with a presentation of the funds raised to the family.

Hayden said the event raised $ 50,000, with $7,000 coming from the auction alone. Items auctioned included a $500 gift certificate to Tiffany’s, autographed Orioles and Nationals baseball bats, diamond earrings, an autographed Notre Dame football and gift certificates from local restaurants and golf courses.

‘‘It exceeded our expectations,” he said.

All proceeds were donated to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, Hayden said.

Event organizers Ritchie Bersee, Mike Gilligan, Erik Scheidhauer, Doug Stone and Hayden were also honored with a community service award from the Frederick County Commission, which the Papier family presented to them.

Hayden said the idea to host a golf tournament came up in January during a discussion about how they could help the Papier family fight for a cure for Dillon.

After securing Hollow Creek Golf Club, the event quickly booked full, Hayden said.

This is not the first time Urbana Highlands residents have tried to brighten Dillon’s life.

Last spring, they sent him to watch his favorite professional baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles, train in Florida. They hosted a benefit for him at the Bowie Baysock’s field in April.

For more information on how to help fight for a cure, contact the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation at www.nnpdf.org.

Residents earnspecialty scholarships

The Community Foundation awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students from the area.

Some of these scholarship recipients include:

* Krista Armentrout, a 2004 Urbana High School graduate and Monrovia resident: The Mary E. M. and Ruth E. Smith Scholarship, awarded to Frederick County residents studying in a post-secondary setting, with preference given to education majors. Armentrout is a student at Towson University.

* Jessica Harrison, a 2000 Linganore High School graduate and Iajmsville resident: The Chief Charles V. Main Scholarship, for Frederick County residents pursuing a career in criminal justice or public safety. Harrison is a student at Frederick Community College.

* Robert Rowse, a 2007 Urbana High School graduate and Ijamsville resident: The Joseph Donald Brewer Scholarship, for Urbana High School graduates with preference given to those diagnosed with dyslexia. Rowse will attend McDaniel College.

* Michael Yankaskas, a 2007 Urbana High School graduate and Ijamsville resident: The Frederick County Public Schools Donor Restricted Projects⁄Urbana Foundation Scholarship, for Urbana High School graduates attending accredited two- or four-year colleges or universities, or trade and technical schools. Yankaskas will attend Virginia Tech.

New history club forming for county students

A new Frederick History Club for students grades in grades 6-12 is looking for members. The first meeting is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, in the community room in the C. Burr Artz Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick.

The club will be focussed on the history of the county and will address students' historical interests. The group will take local field trips, work on research projects, hear from guest speakers and enjoy historical games.

The club meets monthly and is free and open to all secondary students. Call Ellen Georgi for more information at 301 874-4874.

Do you have an item for News and Notes? Call 301-846-2132, e-mail chbrown@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.