Methodist’s In It to Win It fundraiser earns more than $45,000 for Hospitality Houses

 

Second annual fundraiser offered evening of fun and games

The Methodist Medical Center Foundation hosted its second annual “In It to Win It” fundraiser benefiting the Hospitality Houses on Saturday, April 2. Community members, hospital staff, and physicians turned out for the event, which gave guests the opportunity to compete in a series of 60-second party games. Cups, ping pong balls, and pencils were flying as game participants battled to be the first to complete the challenges.

The winners of the six preliminary games had the opportunity to compete for the grand prize: a two-night stay at the Riverside Tower hotel in Pigeon Forge and two tickets to Dollywood. The evening’s big winner was Joey Dembek.

Competing with Dembek for the grand prize were Susan Kuhling, Matt Meslsendori, and Jamie Lesko. These finalists put their hand-eye coordination to the test with the “Tilt-a-Cup” challenge, which required contestants to build a wobbling, hand-held tower of plastic cups separated by ping pong balls. Dembek completed the challenge first to earn the title of “In It to Win It” Champion.

Three physicians took part in a special challenge that entertained the crowd and showed off their moves. Neurosurgeon Dr. Lawrence Maccree, radiologist Dr. James Tramontana, and urologist Dr. Adam Shrewsberry competed in the “Junk in the Trunk” challenge in which they had to use any means necessary to shake all the ping pong balls out of a tissue box strapped to their backsides. Dancing, contorted wiggling, and a few hip-hop moves came into play, and Dr. Shrewsberry was declared the Junk in the Trunk champion for 2016.

“In It to Win It” guests also enjoyed live and silent auctions and a new feature to this year’s event, a reverse raffle that gave guests the opportunity to win a wheelbarrow filled with quality wine, beer, liquor, and drink mixers. The winner of the raffle was Vickie Martin, who quipped, “I don’t drink a lot of liquor, but I haul mulch!” referencing the future use of her new wheelbarrow.

The proceeds from the event netted more than $45,000, which will benefit the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center. The Hospitality Houses provide free, temporary housing to cancer patients and families or other outpatients who must travel for treatment at Methodist Medical Center.

Special thanks to everyone whose hard work and contributions made this event a success! The 2016 “In It to Win It” committee includes co-chairs Leigha Edwards and Steve Whitson, Misty Brown, Melissa Charles, Jeff Cheek, Kyle Anne Lang, Kim Maes, Bill Polfus, and Laura Wallace. Special thanks also to Zach Farrar, Good Sounds Entertainment, Precision Printing and Graphics, and Tech 2020.

Thank you to this year’s In It to Win It sponsors. Presenting Sponsor: Thermocopy; Champions Circle: Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC; Methodist Medical Center Volunteers; Gold Sponsors: Covenant Health; Genentech Inc.; HUMANA; ORAU; UT-Battelle; Silver Sponsors: Centrus Energy Corp.; Jim and Melissa Charles; Tom and Debbie Clary; NSPS LLC; UCOR; Bronze Sponsors: Mike and Janice Belbeck; The Eye Center of Oak Ridge; Information International Associates Inc.; Sellers Realty LLC; Sew What–Custom Embroidery; TTE Tennessee Tool and Engineering; Willis Towers Watson; Friends of Methodist: Gerald and B.J. Boyd; Engert Plumbing and Heating Inc.; Independent Components LLC; Jackson Funeral Services; Derek Keeton and Kyle Keeton—Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.; ORNL Federal Credit Union; and Mark Reddington.