Pictured left to right: Deb Hemmelgarn, MED Foundation Coordinator, Angie Schwieterman, Mayah Schwieterman, Ryan Schwieterman and Nick Moeller, owner of Moeller Brew Barn.
Angie and Ryan Schwieterman and family partnered with Moeller Brew Barn to host a fundraiser benefiting the MED Foundation of Mercer Health in honor of their daughter, Mayah.
Mayah, 21 months, has an extremely rare medical condition, the specifics of which her parents have chosen not to publicly disclose. Friends of the Schwieterman family decided to put on a fundraiser for Mayah, but her parents requested that the proceeds benefit a local organization that could help Mayah and other local children as a way to thank the community for all of the support they’ve provided since Mayah’s birth.
The Schwietermans, along with their extended family and friends, worked with Nick Moeller, owner of Moeller Brew Barn, to put together a turtle soup party at Moeller Brew Barn in Maria Stein. The group decided that the proceeds should go to Mercer Health’s Building on a Promise Campaign in support of Mercer County Community Hospital’s West Wing Expansion.
Angie Schwieterman
“When we were asked to be the beneficiary of the turtle soup fundraiser, we were delighted by the generosity we continue to receive. However, we wanted to use the opportunity to give back and thank everyone for their support. Collectively, we decided to donate the proceeds to the MED Foundation of Mercer Health. Not only our family, but the entire community will benefit from their expansion project and the additional local resources provided. We are pleased to raise funds in Mayah’s honor for such an important cause.”
The event, which featured live music by Roger DeMange, was attended by several hundred people in the community. More than 50 gallons of turtle soup, donated by Ric Mueller, Jeff Heitkamp and several other friends, were sold along with dozens of desserts donated by friends and family members. The money raised totaled $2,200.
Moeller Brew Barn’s Nick Moeller
“It was a great event. Patrons were very generous, happy to help a great organization that provides care to the community and will help people of all ages and needs for many years to come. Thank you to the many, many people who made generous donations ranging from turtles to cookies to cash, bringing $2,200 to Mercer Health’s Mercer County Community Hospital MED Foundation. Special thanks to Ryan and Angie Schwieterman and their daughter Mayah’s inspirational story!”
In addition to expressing their gratitude, the Schwieterman family hopes that this event will help to raise awareness about children with special needs.
Angie Schwieterman
“Thank you to our amazing community for all of their help with our daughter, and for their love and support.”.
For more information about Mercer Health’s West Wing Expansion project and the Building on a Promise Campaign, visit www.mercer-health.com/west-wing-expansion.
You can also follow Mayah’s story on Facebook by searching Close to God: Miracle Mayah’s Story.
Mercer County Outlook 