10/07/2026
These families along with Heather is why we will be there and happy to help! Come check it out!!!
This is who it’s all for. This is our WHY. 💚
These are our friends. Our neighbors. Our brothers and sisters. Our fellow community members. These are the faces behind the reason we come together this year for Heather’s Kup.
Some of our followers are new to Heather’s Kup. Some of you may have missed their introductions, so we want to introduce you to the people we will be standing behind this year.
💚 Savannah Gortney, 17, of Claysburg, is battling polycystic kidney disease and is in need of another kidney and now a liver transplant. Through all her surgeries, treatments, and hospital stays, Savannah remains positive and is an inspiration to all who know her!
💚 Preston Mangone, of Bedford County, is 17 and battling Wilms — a rare form of kidney cancer. A special Heather’s Kup connection: Preston's kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Wendy Miller (Heather's mom). He once played in the Heather’s Kup as a 6th grader. Now, years later, he finds himself at the center of our prayer circle as a recipient. What a powerful reminder of how life can come full circle.
💚 Percy Clair, of Osterburg, is a husband, father, brother, uncle, and business owner battling brain cancer. Percy is described as the 'go-to' for all of his family and friends in need. He goes above and beyond for those he loves. Let's come together to be Percy's 'go-to' when he needs us most.
💚 Ava Bowers, of Somerset, is just 9 years old and battling leukemia. Ava faces something no child should, but she does so with a smile on her face. She has learned how to make childhood memories in the middle of chemotherapy, hospital stays, appointments, and treatments. Cancer has changed so much about her childhood- but it hasn't taken away her smile, joy, and personality!
💚 Kevin Oldham and Julia Evans are two Chestnut Ridge educators who have poured into students and our community for decades. They are now facing cancer themselves. Kevin is battling a rare heart cancer, and Julia is battling metastatic melanoma. Julia will undergo surgery this Thursday to remove a brain tumor.
💚 The family of Katie Beckner, a single mom from Richland who recently lost her battle with esophageal cancer. Katie leaves behind two daughters, and this year, Heather’s Kup will continue to stand beside her family to help with costs associated with her passing.
Each of these stories is different. Each diagnosis is different. Each family is carrying something different.
But they all have one thing in common: they are not alone. That is what Heather’s Kup has always been about. It’s about a community coming together when someone needs us most. It’s about showing families that they are surrounded by people who care. It’s about turning compassion into action and reminding them that they have an entire community standing in their corner.
And through all of it, we believe God is still at work. We believe in the power of prayer, the power of community, and the power of simply showing up for someone when they need it most.
They are our WHY.
So let’s make this year’s Heather’s Kup the biggest and strongest one yet. Come out. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Donate a basket or raffle item. Volunteer. Give what you can. And most importantly, pray for these families. Every dollar, every volunteer, every basket, every prayer and every person who shows up makes a difference.
Let’s come together and remind these families just how much they are loved.
The 18th Annual Heather's Kup- October 31 at Chestnut Ridge High School. Come put tickets in baskets, get delicious concessions, watch some youth football, and join us at 12 P.M. for the prayer circle where we pray for our recipient families. You don't want to miss it.
We are currently accepting basket/raffle item donations. See drop off locations in the comments. Share the letter below with businesses, churches, school groups, teams, etc. Message our page with any questions.
Monetary donations can be sent to 185 Wentz Road New Paris, PA 15554 with checks made payable to The Lions Pride Foundation with a note 'HK donation'. Venmo donations can be sent to crll-football with a note of Hk donation.
Spread the word.
F.R.O.G.
