Friends, Family Rally to Help BHS Alumnus

Community residents, friends and family of Babylon high school graduate Chip Pannhorst are hoping to raise funds to help the 1995 alumnus with a special event next weekend.

Pannhorst, a native villager who now lives in California, has been diagnosed with leukemia. The fundraiser will be held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Post Office Cafe on Main Street.

Pannhorst, who grew up in Babylon along with his two sisters, one of whom is a cancer survivor, was active in wrestling, baseball and football.

After graduating, he became a corporal in the US Army. He works as an MRI X-ray technician in California where he lives with his wife, San May, an ER nurse, and their two sons, Logan, 8, and Nico, 3. He was the former head umpire and also a coach for his son’s team in the Rancho Bernardo Baseball League.

Since his diagnosis in June, Pannhorst has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment and is determined to beat the illness.

His friends are coordinating the local effort to lend emotional and financial support.

Erin Holgan, who attended school with Pannhorst and currently works at Sherry’s Place on Deer Park Avenue, is one of the event planners.

“We’ve had an incredible response from village merchants so far,” said Holgan, “and we’re hoping to get even more donations so that the fundraiser is a big success.”

The donated items include a three-month membership to Fitness Incentive, a gift basket from Bunger Surf Shop (some of the Bunger children attended school with Chip), and gift certificates from Barrique, Argyle Grille, Sherry’s Place, Murphy's Sport Shack, Pronto, Sweet Street, Precious Designs Boutique, Bali Hair Design and more. The list is growing, Holgan said.

“Chip’s Army” was organized immediately after his diagnosis, and Pannhorst is called “The General” among his close-knit group of family and friends. Holgan said that “Chip’s Army has now become an official foundation, and he intends to continue it for charitable purposes to help others after he’s cured.”

Among the many event planners are friends Brett Ballweg, Jaisle Hilbert Chester, Jonathan King and Mary Beth Sacchi. Pannhorst’s sister Tobey set up a website and began selling t-shirts and tote bags right after his diagnosis.

Tickets to the event are $35 pre-paid online  and $40 at the door, and include beer, wine and food. The fundraiser will feature a Chinese auction, a silent bidding auction and a 50/50 raffle. Donations are still being accepted for the auctions.