Big Tree Memorial Fund

Congratulations to the winning team from the 2024 Big Tree Invitational! The team consisted of: David Coon, Josh Moore, Adam Richardson, and Corey Wheat. Adam is missing from the photo (he had to get back home for a kid's soccer match - daddy duties never end!). Congratulations! The belt looks great on y'all. See you next year! #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund

We have the best volunteers and these are many of YOU from the 2024 Big Tree Invitational! It takes a lot of work behind the scenes and day-of to make this all possible. THANK YOU ALL!! 💚🌳 #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

The final family that joined the Big Tree Family at the 2024 Big Tree Invitational is possible because of the grant we received earlier this year from Frederick County to help provide financial support to children currently undergoing cancer treatment. With this grant enabling us, earlier this year we met with Adela and her family at Butterfly Ridge Elementary School. There, we gifted The Orellana Family with a $17k check and references for genetic testing to help Adela, an incredibly brave 7-year-old battling bone cancer. It was truly a humbling experience. At the Big Tree Invitational, we gifted the rest of the grant money to 2.5-year-old Gael Velazquez Pereira, who was diagnosed in August 2023 with multiple types of brain cancer: Medulloblastoma, ATRT, and Brainstem Glioma. Gael has faced chemotherapy, radiation, and several emergency surgeries at a very young age. Despite all this trauma, he remains cheerful and active. His mother serves as his primary caregiver, while his father works to provide for the family. It’s hard to truly grasp the emotional rollercoaster Gael’s family is enduring and the physical and mental strain that Gael is going through, along with the significant burden of medical costs. Our hearts go out to these families and their strong children. We will continue to do everything we can to make your days brighter. 💚🌳 #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

The Rhinehart family also joined the Big Tree Family at the 2024 Big Tree Invitational. Kevin Rhinehart lost his wife, Sarah, on February 23rd after a nearly 4-year battle with melanoma. Sarah was just 38 years old when she passed away, leaving behind not only Kevin, but their 6-year-old son Cannon, and 3-year-old daughter Ripley. Sarah received her diagnosis in 2020, and initially, the doctors were not overly concerned. However, by 2023, they found that the cancer had metastasized to several areas, including her brain, and classified it as stage 4. Following an oncologist’s approval, they embarked on one final trip to Myrtle Beach, during which Sarah’s condition worsened. She was transported back to Frederick, where she was placed under hospice care and subsequently passed away. The life, love, and resilience shown during the Invitational in Kevin, Cannon, Ripley and their grandmother was beautiful and we warmly welcome them to the BTMF family where we are all truly stronger together. 💚🌳 #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

As the Big Tree Invitational is now in our rear-view mirror, we’re honored to share and support the newest members of the Big Tree Family. Jyes and the Grier family suffered the loss of her husband Lenard on May 15th after a 3.5 year battle with stage 4 colon cancer. Lenard was 43 years old and is survived by his loving wife and their three children: 12-year-old Liam, 10-year-old Alex, and 6-year-old Luna. After his diagnosis in 2020, Lenard channeled his passion into founding No One Clothiers, a clothing brand that reflected principles he deeply valued, including self-expression, honoring one’s heritage, and promoting acceptance and love for everyone. In addition to managing his company, Lenard continued working full time in the same department as Brent, one of the BTMF Founders. He became familiar with Big Tree and was eager to support BTMF by designing and selling merchandise featuring the Big Tree logo and donating the proceeds. What stands out most is that our initial call with Lenard to discuss the design occurred on the day he received news that he was terminal. Despite receiving such devastating news, he remained positive and courageous – he wanted to help Big Tree, never revealing his distress. Lenard was already a part of the Big Tee Family, and now we have come full circle. Lenard embodied so much good and the world is better because he was in it. 💚🌳 #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

A picture is worth 1000 words…and $47,000 dollars….Last Friday, we had our 4th Annual Big Tree Invitational where the Big Tree Memorial Fund donated $47,000 to 3 families who have been impacted by Cancer. Erik” Big Tree” Knapp passed suddenly to Glioblastoma in 2020 and we made it our promise to carry out his larger than life legacy. Special thanks to our motivation Ashley Knapp our marketing guru Lauren Long and our business development and numbers gurus Brent Watson and Andrew Benenati It takes a village and we wouldn’t be here without the support of our donors and Cancer warriors! Foundation love to Kim's Hope Kendall Nicole Eich Foundation for providing your guidance throughout our shared journey. Learn more here: Big Tree Memorial Fund Frederick County Health Department Frederick County Developmental Center The Community Foundation of Frederick County White Oak Hospitality Buch Construction Katie Nicholson, CRS, ABR, CLHMS T-Rex Solutions, LLC Tait Weller MCN Build Cumming Group Tim KaneCenturion Consulting Group, LLC Common Securitization Solutions MaxCyte, Inc. Indigo Arc LLC Celebration Cellars WineryOptimist International Christina Boarman Joshua BarronChildren's National Hospital

The 2024 Big Tree Invitational was incredible. We are honored to be joined by those who spent their day with us, who donated their time, who participated in the raffle, and the families who are now part of the Big Tree community. 💚🌳 #glioblastoma #braincancer #cancer

TODAY IS THE DAY! And we are grateful to kick it off with a beverage, thanks to our next sponsor! Sponsor highlight: Katie Nicholson Team of Coldwell Banker A regular sponsor for the Invitational, clients have called on upon this team to help them buy and sell throughout Frederick, Montgomery, Howard, and Carroll Counties in Maryland. The Katie Nicholson Team’s approach relies on an elevated level of client care, with the results and professionalism to match. Are you interested in buying or selling a home? We know just who to contact! Learn more: Website: www.katienicholsonteam.com Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eynAyGtT Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eHhdGYVK THANK YOU! How can you help? Please support our sponsors by considering their goods and services, following them on social media, and remembering the strength of community. Many of these supporters are local to Frederick and Maryland—let’s keep the momentum going! #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

New sponsor highlight: Celebration Cellars Winery We welcome Celebration Cellars to the Big Tree family! There are so many people to appreciate, things to be grateful for, and life events to celebrate. It’s always been important to Celebration Cellars to stop and raise a glass to the moments – big and small – that make this life a beautiful one. In 2009, they began crafting their wines and dreamed of creating an elegant and cozy place that embodied this approach to life. In 2011, Celebration Cellars Winery was born. They offer several award winning wines for tastings and toasts, including traditional French-style sparkling, and their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Mendoza Red Blend wines. Nestled in the hills of the Catoctin Mountains, you can also drink in the sweeping views when you visit! Learn more: Website: https://lnkd.in/emNUFXgv Instagram: https://lnkd.in/epd66mMS Facebook: https://lnkd.in/ekktqvX7 THANK YOU! How can you help? Please support our sponsors by considering their goods and services, following them on social media, and remembering the strength of community. Many of these supporters are local to Frederick and Maryland—let’s keep the momentum going! #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland

Sponsor highlight: The Cataldo Family Thank you for your continuous support, Cataldos! #bigtreeinvitational #bigtreememorialfund #glioblastoma #braincancer #maryland