The 10th Annual International Pie in the Face for Chase was held this past Sunday, Sept. 24, at Moguls Sports Pub in Killington and it was a huge success. At the event, 22 local celebrities took hundreds of pies in the face and raised $33,000 (a record!) for Chase William Kuehl and the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF). All proceeds support the cause, with half going directly to Chase and half to PMSF.
Phelan-McDermid Syndrome is caused by the lack of chromosome 22, so having 22 participants is significant. The 22 is prevalent in other areas too. 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 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 between 1 in 25,000 babies born. 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 DJ Dave Hoffenberg. “Businesses from Killington, Rutland, Woodstock, Ludlow and beyond 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.”
The pie class this year was Sophomores: Whit Montgomery (Killington Chief of Police) and Jen Wheatley; Juniors: Brian Hughes, Bernie Kuehl (Chase’s Uncle) and Andrew Schain; Seniors: Bill Conn, Brooke Englert and Matt Kopicki; Post Grads: Annie Johnson Kuehl (Chase’s mom); Masters: Jared Hall, Karena Kuehl (Chase’s sister), Kyler Kuehl (Chase’s brother), Dave Parnell, Jeremy “Creeper” Rayner and Don Sady, O.P’s (Original Pie-ees): DJ Dave Hoffenberg, Rick Kuehl (Chase’s dad), Sal Salmeri (owner of Moguls), Kelly Spear; Team Canada’s Peter Whittier; and Referee Jason Evans.
DJ Dave added, “This charity is near and dear to me, and I’m honored that so many people volunteer to get pied over and over and help us raise much needed money. I love Chase dearly and will go out of my way to raise money for him and to help the other children affected by it.”
This year DJ Dave raised a little over $6,900 and took 163 pies to the face, shattering all previous records. “The hills will be alive with the sound of Judah and a Merman,” he said.
This charity started in 2014 with a small event at Moguls, raising $1,400. Each year it grows and grows. “We’re very proud to see where the event is at,” said DJ Dave. “The Charity would like to thank the title sponsors that gave generously to the event like Killington Resort, Farrell Distributing, Fiddlehead Brewing, Von Trapp Brewing, and the Vermont Roofing Company. The event would not have been possible without the help from Sal Salmeri and Moguls Sports Pub providing the event space. The following businesses donated these items which are a big help-Shirts: Initial Ideas, Posters: Boss Office Works, Pumpkin Pies: Mendon Mountain Orchards, Pudding: Public House Pub and Whipped Cream: Stewarts Shops. There are lots of businesses that donate to the silent auction and raffles, and they will be thanked on Facebook. Lastly the press is always a help in promoting this event so thanks goes to the Mountain Times, Rock 94.5 and WEXP.”
For more information visit: pieinthefaceforchase.com. The 11th annual event is slated for Sept. 8, 2024. Stay tuned…
