Over $5,000 Raised at Warwick for Ailing Alum Chuckie Magee

A frenzied shootout during halftime at the Warwick boys basketball game Friday night helped to raise over $5,000 for alum Chuckie Magee, and right now the family is feeling the love of district students, staff, and faculty for the special needs son who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer.

“It’s crazy, it’s just overwhelming,,” said Katie Groves, Chuckie’s sister. “We never expected this kind of support. “It’s just heartwarming that everyone is behind us during this journey,” she said. LititzDailyNews.com originally published the story of Chuckie and his mother, Bev, who have both battled cancer this year in our 12 Families of Christmas series.

Funds from sales of bandanas, wristbands and t-shirts during the week and at the game also contributed to the success of the fundraiser. Even the Penn Manor basketball team, Warwick’s opponent Friday night, showed support for the family with bandana purchases.

“This will help Chuckie a lot with any adaptions he needs, any medical needs, living expenses when he comes home,” said Katie, “so this really means a lot to my family.”

Sandy Morris, Chuckie’s former special ed teacher at Warwick, manned the donation station Friday night beside Magee family members, while her daughter Madi, dressed as a snowman, encouraged donations.  Madi and friend Aubrie Bunnell sold merchandise during lunch periods this week to raise contributions.

Sandy Morris circulated with cell phone in hand during the shootout, streaming video for someone special on the other end: Chuckie Magee in his hospital room at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

“We pulled him up on FaceTime so he could see what was going on,” said Katie. “That way he could see the shootout, he could see everyone was saying hi to him, so he really enjoyed that.”

Mom Bev Magee was back in the hospital room, watching with her son.

“It brought tears to my eyes, and I know Chuckie was loving seeing everyone dressed up for him,” wrote Bev on the Facebook page of supporters.

Santa Austin Maguire led the Warwick Student Section, all decked out in holiday costumes, in a “Chuckie Strong” chant.

“Student section you are all awesome! Thank you for all your hard work.”

Those unable to make it to the game may contribute via the GoFundMe page set up by the family. So far the site has collected only $450, far short of their $5,000 goal.

“We gotta get him better, whatever it takes,” said his father, Chuck Magee.

The next fundraiser scheduled to benefit the family is taking place at Chick-fil-a in Lancaster in just a few days.

“For the week of December 29 to January 3, every time you go [to Chick-fil-a] take a flyer with you [and] 15% goes to the Magee family,” said Kathy Wenrich, who is sponsoring the fundraiser with her husband. The flyer is available here.

On Tuesday, December 30 from 5 to 7 p.m., the family will hold a Rally Night at Chick-fil-a, and attendees can can spin a prize wheel for a $1 donation.

“All of that money goes to the family,” said Wenrich.

Some local stores and businesses are getting set up to collect funds for Chuckie by offering #ChuckieStrong merchandise as well.

While other fundraisers are in the works, the family is thankful for the support shown Friday night by the Warwick and Lititz communities.

“Tonight was so surreal for me;” said Katie. [Warwick student section] chanting ‘Chuckie Strong’ and an entire community supporting my brother. All I can say is thank you and it touches my heart to know how loved Chuckie is, not just by us, but by everyone he meets.”

The Magee family is the first of our featured “12 Families of Christmas,” a series about members of our community who need assistance this holiday season. Lynn Rebuck covers events and sports for LititzDailyNews.com. She welcomes your comments and questions to [email protected].