Fundraisers

A wonderful event to honor and recognize the area’s best youth athletes. Thanks to Dapper Dan for their support and another successful banquet! Congratulations to all award recipients! Each year a Children’s League patient is selected as the Dapper Dan Child of the Year.

Keller Apple

2023 Dapper Dan Child of the Year!

Keller is 11 years old and is the son of John Apple and Tara Hausman.  He is in 5^th Grade at South Penn Elementary School, Cumberland, MD.  Mrs. Kelly Griffin, Special Education Teacher who has worked with Keller while he was in Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th grade states, “Keller is independent and is always happy. He willingly works with teachers and therapists and rarely complains.  Keller always gives 110%. I wish all students with a disability had the same positive outlook as Keller.”

Keller has been a patient at The Children’s League since he was just 15 months old.  Due to a neonatal stroke, he was referred to The League by his neurologist for his right sided hemiplegia cerebral palsy.   Some of his early intervention was also provided through the Infant & Toddler Program in Allegany County. He is currently closely followed at The Children’s League by Dr. Ranjit Varghese, pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.   Keller also receives weekly physical therapy provided by The Children’s League pediatric physical therapist, Jenny Vought.  

Keller has worn a leg and foot brace since he was a toddler.  As part of his care Keller has also been prescribed the use of a hand brace, constraint therapy, Botox injections to help with spasticity, multiple leg/foot braces and surgery for a tendon transfer and Achilles lengthening.  The Children’s League Executive Director Cathy Growden says, “I have known Keller and his family since his first orthopedic clinic appointment in 2013.  He is a young man who has shown all of us great determination, commitment, and resiliency.  He is not a complainer he is a doer”

Keller enjoys being involved with CASL “Children’s Adaptive Sports League” where he participates in all CASL sports and activities such as basketball, baseball, soccer, bowling, football and swimming. 

South Penn 5^th grade teacher, Mrs. Amanda Miller says, “Keller Apple is an upstanding citizen of our fifth-grade class at South Penn Elementary. Keller is a consistent member of the Principal’s Honor Roll and also won the Student of the Month award for caring and friendship. I can always count on Keller to be on task. He always displays perseverance and determination throughout daily tasks. Keller has a contagious smile and his overall personality helps to make our classroom a positive learning experience. I am so proud of the young man that he is becoming in life. Congratulations on this wonderful recognition, Keller! You are extremely deserving of this award.

Brooks Durham

2022 Dapper Dan Child of the Year!

Brooks Durham will be honored as The Children’s League Dapper Dan Child of the Year at the 73^rd Annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet, Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club.  Brooks is 14 years old and resides in LaVale, MD with his parents and brother.  Brooks is in the 7th grade at Braddock Middle School, Cumberland, MD. 

His teacher at Braddock Middle School, Mr. Shawn Twigg, states, “Brooks is one of the hardest working students I have had the pleasure to work with.  Everyday I watch him overcome personal challenges that inspire me and all those who have the golden opportunity of knowing him.  His positive outlook on the world around him changes any room he enters.    It is a true blessing to teach Brooks.  He has taught me more about life than I have ever had the opportunity to teach him”. 

Brooks is a patient at The Children’s League where he is closely followed for his spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.  Prior to becoming a patient at The Children’s League, Brooks was followed at Kennedy Kreiger Institute, Baltimore, MD by Dr. Ranjit Varghese, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  When Brooks’ family moved to Cumberland Dr. Varghese refereed him to The Children’s League where he continues to see Brooks every six months in orthopedic clinics.

Due to his cerebral palsy Brooks is required to use a foot/ankle brace for stability and balance, a nighttime knee brace to help with extension and a walker for long distances. To help with his crouch gait and hamstring tightness Brooks receives weekly physical therapy at The Children’s League by, Jenny Vought. League physical therapist.

Cathy Growden, Executive Director of The Children’s League states, “Brooks is truly a delightful young man.  He always has a smile and is an inspiration to all of us.  It is an honor to know him”.

Bentley Lepley

2020 Dapper Dan Child of the Year!

Bentley is a student at Cash Valley Elementary School and is in fourth grade.  His teacher, Amy Eber states, “I have had the pleasure of being Bentley’s 4th Grade teacher this year.  Bentley is a very hard-working and respectful young man.  He comes to school with a smile on his face.  Bentley has shown tremendous growth in his reading and math abilities over the course of 4th Grade.  Bentley is an advocate for the underdog and stands up for what is right.  I am proud of him for this accomplishment, although not surprised.”                                                                                          The Children’s League is no stranger to the Lepley family.  Bentley’s grandmother, Sharen Lepley and his father, Cody Lepley were both patients for many years.  His father, knowing the effects of CMT that his mother Sharen lived with, wanted his son to be evaluated in an orthopedic clinic at the League.  In 2014 Dr. John Tis, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital evaluated 2 ½ year old Bentley for turning in of his feet and an unusual gait.  Because of the long-standing family history of Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome it was recommended that Bentley have genetic testing to declare the positivity of him having CMT.  It was also recommended that Bentley wear a foot ankle orthotic or a well fitting high top shoe to give support to the ankle and foot.  Genetics Testing was completed in October 2015 and it was declared that Bentley does carry the inherited disorder of Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome.                                                   Charcot Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. This damage is mostly in the arms and legs. Charcot-Marie-Tooth is also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy.  CMT disease results in smaller, weaker muscles. It also can cause loss of sensation, muscle contractions, and difficulty walking.  Foot deformities such as hammertoes and high arches are also common. Symptoms usually begin in the feet and legs, but may eventually affect the hands and arms. Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease typically appear in adolescence or early adulthood, but may also develop in midlife.                            Bentley continues his routine orthopedic clinic visits at The League.  He also receives physical therapy and occupational therapy. Knowing that CMT can progress even into adulthood Dad, Grandmother, Jenny Vought, League Physical Therapist and Dr. Ranjit Varghese, Johns Hopkins Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, keep a close watch on this young man for any signs of CMT progression.  Eric Follett, Special Education Teacher at Cash Valley School, or as Bentley calls him “Mr. F” states, “I have worked with Bentley for the past four years and am amazed at his progress in all areas.  Bentley is a very enthusiastic young man. He is a great story-teller and is passionate about the outdoors. He enjoys swimming, soccer, bowling and playing with his dad’s new puppy. Bentley likes learning new things and pushes himself to be the best he can be.”      Bentley has participated in all CASL (Children’s Adaptive Sports League) sports events since it’s beginning in 2019.  CASL is focused on providing a special need adaptive sports and socialization program for children.                                                                                                    Cathy Growden, Executive Director of The Children’s League says, “Bentley is a unique young man and one who easily captures your heart.  Helping three generations of the Lepley family and getting to know each one personally, has been a true pleasure.  The compassionate medical care by the League pediatric orthopedists and therapists, given to the Lepley family and to all League patients, is what The Children’s League is all about.” 

John McFarland

2019 Dapper Dan Child of the Year!

John McFarland, III will be honored as The Children’s League, Dapper Dan Child of the year at the 71st Annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet, Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. John is 14 years old and resides in Cumberland, Maryland with his parents John and Alice McFarland along with 2 younger brothers and 3 younger sisters. John attends Fort Hill High School and is in ninth grade.

John was premature and born 2 ½ months early. In 2007 his pediatrician, Menchavez Pediatrics, referred him to The Children’s League for developmental delay, failure to walk and speech delay. He received weekly speech therapy through The Children’s League and he continues to see The League’s physical therapist, Jenny Vought, as well as pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Tis, from Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 2009 he was given a diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. He was prescribed an ankle foot brace, received right gastroc Botox injections and bilateral serial casting for his heel cord contractures. Surgical options to help with his gait and alignment have been discussed and certainly are a possibly in the near future. John has also been evaluated at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Grady Rizer
2017 Dapper Dan Child of the Year!

Grady Rizer will be honored as The Children’s League, Dapper Dan Child of the Year at the 69th annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet on Feb. 25 at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club.

Grady is 15 years old and resides in Rawlings with his parents, Jody and Roger Rizer. He receives special education services at Fort Hill High School. “I have known Grady for approximately eight years,” said teacher Brett Scott. “He has never spoken an audible word, but lets you know exactly what he is thinking. He speaks volumes through his facial expressions and actions, and has his own special way of expressing himself to parents, friends, nurses, teachers, etc. He has a way of lighting up a room when entering, especially with his smile.”

Grady is involved in the Football Buddy Program. His football buddy is Trey Bishop, who said, “Grady doesn’t get the chance to be in the spotlight. I’m glad I can give him and his family a chance to experience even a small part of it. I am beyond grateful to have gotten to know him and his family.”