Stephens Introduces Resolution Declaring March Keith Valley Challenge Month in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) introduced a House resolution—House Resolution 743-- to declare March 2016 “Keith Valley Challenge Month” in Pennsylvania.
The Keith Valley Challenge is a 17-hour nonstop floor hockey marathon that began in 1977 to honor the memory of Billy Whitehead, an eighth-grade student who passed away due to a rare congenital heart defect.
Stephens, a past participant in the Keith Valley Challenge, praised the hard work and dedication of all participants over the last 40 years. “I don’t think there’s anything better than kids helping other kids who are less fortunate than themselves,” Stephens said.
The event began when, in Whitehead’s memory, the school staff and eighth-graders pledged to raise money on a yearly basis for St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The marathon was renamed “The Keith Valley Challenge” in 1981 and students began to donate funds raised to additional charities.
The 40th Annual Keith Valley Challenge occurred on Friday, March 11. This year, students raised $61,745, surpassing the $1 million mark in total funds raised since the Challenge began.
The money raised has been donated to 14 charities including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Stephens introduced his resolution to formally commend every Keith Valley student over the past 40 years who helped make this $1 million milestone possible.
“Their dedication is an example of how to transform a tragic loss into something inspirational,” Stephens said.
Representative Todd Stephens
151st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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