From staff reports

HUNTINGDON — Valley Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual Benefit Golf Outing raised approximately $90,000 to help six area families facing serious medical conditions.

The fundraiser, held June 25 at Huntingdon Country Club, featured 52 teams competing in a best-ball scramble along with a silent auction and raffles. Valley REC employees closed the cooperative’s four offices for the day to organize and staff the event.

“We hope this tournament is a bright day in the journey of these families who have faced so many challenges,” Valley REC President and CEO Rich Bauer said. “We are extremely grateful for the support of everyone involved with this tournament, our sponsors, donors and golfers who all joined together to ease the burden on these families.”

This year’s beneficiaries included:

• Abby Sholly, 5, of Mill Creek, who has been undergoing treatment for leukemia since her diagnosis in June 2025.

• Sherry Miles, of Hesston, who is receiving treatment for esophageal cancer following surgery and chemotherapy.

• Alyssa Starr, of Huntingdon, a mother of two who is undergoing treatment for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

• Blake Grove, 4, of East Waterford, who is recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with three brain tumors.

• Liam Hughes, 1, of New Enterprise, who has undergone multiple surgeries related to spina bifida and complications associated with having one kidney.

• Izzy Boyd, 14, of Huntingdon, who has a progressive degenerative disease requiring increasing levels of care.

“I’m a Valley member. I’ve seen information about the golf tournament before. I never in a million years thought I’d be a recipient,” Miles said. “I’m humbled by all the support I’ve gotten.”

Blake’s grandfather, Art Grove, said the event demonstrated the community’s willingness to help families facing difficult circumstances.

“It’s great that the community is there to support people,” Grove said. “It feels good to have community support.”

The annual tournament began in 2012 and has now raised approximately $568,000 for local individuals and families dealing with serious illnesses and medical hardships.

Valley Rural Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility serving nearly 22,500 consumer accounts across Bedford, Blair, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties.