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Scavenger Hunt Will Aid Fundraiser Who Needs New Heart

By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: August 6, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Lee Murphy always has a big heart, pitching in for countless fundraisers for West Pasco charities.

Now it turns out Murphy needs a heart. With his 37-year-old heart operating at 25 percent, doctors told him he will need a heart transplant. In the meantime a pacemaker, defibrillator and monitor will help keep him going.

Murphy's plight inspired a few dozen of his friends to organize the first West Pasco Scavenger Hunt benefit Aug. 30. The proceeds of the inaugural hunt will help Murphy pay his bills and stay in his home while he can't work.

Bonnie Howard of Minuteman Press and Sean McCart of Chasco Hosting are the co-chairs of the scavenger hunt.

Teams can sign up for $100. Sponsorship packages are $250, $500 and $1,000. Additional donations are considered gifts that won't be tax deductible.

Registration will be 10 - 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the hunt's starting point, Minuteman Press, 7117 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. The event will wrap up downtown, at Karl Reef, 6307 Grand Blvd.

For more information call Howard at 727-364-1172 or go online to aheartforlee.com.

"This is a buddy of ours," Glenn Hanff, one of the committee members for the event, said about Murphy. Murphy worked a long time at a New Port Richey rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, where Hanff first met him.

Murphy has been involved in numerous benefits for Community Service Council, Community Outreach, SPCA, Lighthouse for the Visually Impairs and Blind, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation, Take Stock in Children and many more.

"As much as he hates it, it is time to help Lee," event organizers wrote on the pledge sheets.

The scavenger hunt will pit teams seeking to complete tasks on a to-do list within four hours to score points. Each team, four members and one photographer, will travel to various destinations. The harder the task, the more points scored.

For example, a task might be taking a picture of a team sitting on a rocking chair on the beach. Sponsor businesses will serve as many of the destinations.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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