TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: DeHart family "paying it forward', helping local family with golf tourney proceeds

Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Abigail and Selina Alexander

The 11th annual Pierson DeHart Memorial Golf Tournament is set for Saturday at Forest Park Golf Course in Brazil to raise money for children with medical problems.

The golf outing is named for Pierson DeHart, the son of Melissa and Chris DeHart.

Pierson was born into the DeHart family nearly 14 years ago with multiple medical problems and passed away on May 7, 2009.

As result of his condition, the community reached out and gave so much support. In turn, the DeHart family wants to extend that same support to another family in the community facing a similar situation of raising a child with special needs.

This year all money raised goes to Abigail and Selina Alexander, who live with their parents, Mark and Michelle Alexander.

Pierson’s mother, Melissa, described the reasons in a Facebook post that the recipients were chosen.

“Abigail was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and holoprosencephaly (HPE) at 20 weeks gestation. HPE is typically not compatible with life and most children do not survive past six months of age.

Blessed by God, Abigail is now 20 years old. She now faces another life-threatening condition as a result of having a shunt for her hydrocephalus. It has started throwing blood clots into her heart and lungs, resulting in bilateral pulmonary embolism that cannot be removed, and medicine will not resolve.

However, Abigail’s love of life and people dominate, and she is the happiest, most caring human. Salina joined the Alexander family in 2015 at 14 years old after spending most of her life in and out of foster care. Down Syndrome and severe autism sure doesn’t stop her from enjoying life! She loves to swing, swim, and ride on go-carts.”

The tournament kicks off with lunch at noon and tee-off at 1 p.m.


If you would like to donate to the Pierson DeHart Memorial Golf Scramble, your donation can be deposited into an account at any Terre Haute Savings Bank or you can make checks out to Pierson DeHart Memorial Fund and mail them to:

The Pierson DeHart Memorial Golf Scramble, 7649 N. C.R. 675 W, Brazil, IN 47834.

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