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Scavenger hunt raises funds for heart transplant candidate

By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: September 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - "Get well soon, Lee!"

That was the common theme for teams in the first West Pasco Photo Scavenger Hunt to benefit heart transplant candidate Lee Murphy.

Some 150 participants fanned out across the area to do all sorts of zany stunts and tasks on a list, according to Sean McCart, one of the organizers. The starting gate was at Minuteman Press, 7117 U.S. 19.

Their journeys were documented by photographers assigned to each team as the groups dashed frantically trying to complete as many tasks as possible.

One team took the dare to get a photo of a team member in a wedding dress, scoring big bonus points because the wedding dress model was a guy.

Another team went behind bars at the New Port Richey Police Department.

In each photo teams held up a sign wishing "Get well soon, Lee!"

Crossing the finish line at Karl Reef, the winning team came from Grandma's Candy Kitchen. Tracy Jenkins, Kim Louwaert, Kelly Depue, Kathy Koskos and Kelly Louwaert triumphed.

Louwaert & Son's Construction came in second place, followed by Bob's Angels in third place.

The scavenger hunt supervisors are still collecting money from the many sponsors, McCart said, so a total of dollars raised wasn't available.

The proceeds will help Murphy, known for his bigheartedness, pitching in for countless fundraisers for West Pasco charities. Now it turns out 37-year-old Murphy needs a heart. His is operating at 25 percent, and doctors told him he will need a transplant. In the meantime a pacemaker, defibrillator and monitor will help keep him going.

Bonnie Howard of Minuteman Press and McCart of Chasco Hosting served as the co-chairs of the scavenger hunt. They hope to make it an annual event for various causes.

For more information, call Howard at 727-364-1172.

People can still go online to donate to the cause or to glance at the wacky exploits chronicled in some 100 photo galleries. Go to http://www.aheartforlee.com/index.html>.

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