By Dave Hoffenberg
The 8th annual Pie in the Face for Chase was held this past Sunday, Aug. 22, at Dream Maker Bakers in Killington, and it was a huge success. Twenty-two local celebrities took hundreds of pies in the face, raising $22,000 for Chase William Kuehl and the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF). All of the proceeds are split 50/50 between Chase and PMSF.
Phelan-McDermid Syndrome is caused by a lack of chromosome 22, so having it on Aug. 22 was special. The organization moved the event up a month for warmer weather and that paid off well.
“It’s a lot better hosing off pie when it’s 80 degrees out,” organizers commented.
Whipped cream pies were sold for $22, green pudding pies were $50 (green is the color of the PMSF and Chase loves pudding), and for the messiest of all, the PMSF Chaser — a pumpkin pie topped with one pound of pudding and whipped cream — could be purchased for $100.
Chase Kuehl was diagnosed with PMS in January 2012 when he was a little over 1 year old. He is one of only 2,700 children diagnosed worldwide. The prevalence of those with PMS is estimated to be 1 in 20,000. There is no cure, but it is PMSF’s goal to find effective therapies to help those with PMS and, eventually, a cure.
“I’m blown away by the love and support the community continues to show Chase and PMSF,” said charity co-founder Dave Hoffenberg. “Businesses from Killington, Rutland, Woodstock and Ludlow step up and donate. Please go to our Facebook page (“Pie in the Face for Chase”) to see videos and photos from the event but more importantly to see all these wonderful businesses. This charity is near and dear to me, and I’m honored that so many people volunteer to get pied over and over and also help us raise much needed money.”
The local “celebrities” who volunteered included: Megan Wagner, Rick Webb and Brian Hughes for the Freshman Class; Mac Marchioni, Matt Kopicki, Brooke Englert, Bill Conn, Captain Jack Wallace and Andrew Schain (Max Rayner volunteered to take his pies since Andrew could not make it) for the Sophomore Class; Annie Johnson Kuehl (Chase’s mom and co-founder) by herself in the Junior Class; Kyler Kuehl (Chase’s brother), Dave Parnell and Jason Evans for the Senior Class. Jeremy “Creeper” Rayner was also in his own class, the Post-Grads. Earning their Master’s Degree this year were Karena Kuehl (Chase’s sister), Jared Hall and Don Sady. Last, but certainly not least, are Rick Kuehl (Chase’s Dad and co-founder), DJ Dave Hoffenberg, Kelly Spear, Sal Salmeri and Peter Whittier (who took his pies in Canada due to the border closing). This year we even had spectators join the mess and volunteer to be pied. Good odds they’ll be joining the 2022 Pie Class.
For more information visit pieinthefaceforchase.com.
