Brethren Care Foundation Golf Outing to Support New Parkinson’s Support Center
ASHLAND — The Brethren Care Foundation is inviting the community to hit the links for a cause that could make a lasting difference for individuals and families facing Parkinson’s disease.
The foundation’s 12th Annual Charity Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Ashland Golf Club. This year’s outing will be held at a new location and will support Brethren Care Village’s campaign to create, fund and endow a Parkinson’s Support Center.
Brethren Care Village is currently in the middle of a $275,000 campaign aimed at developing the center, which would provide specialized programs, therapy resources, education and support for people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as their families and caregivers.
“Joe, we are in the midst of a campaign to raise $275,000 to create, fund and endow a Parkinson’s Support Center at Brethren Care Village,” Ralph Tomassi said in a message to Ashland County Pictures News.
The theme of the outing is, “Let’s play for Parkinson’s, until we find a cure.”
According to Brethren Care Foundation materials, Parkinson’s disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological conditions, and the need continues to rise for therapy, education and support for those living with the disease and their caregivers.
The planned Parkinson’s Support Center would be designed to offer an environment focused on movement, strength and dignity. Campaign materials identify several needs, including Parkinson’s-specific therapy programs, certified and trained staff, specialized rehabilitation and safety equipment, educational programming with outside speakers and experts, and sustainable funding to keep the program going.
The campaign includes several phases. The program launch includes $75,000 for capital and equipment needs, such as patient therapy tools, stationary bikes, rubberized flooring, Rock Steady Boxing, music therapy, art therapy, speech aids, laser cueing devices, voice amplifiers and staff certification programs.
An additional $50,000 is listed for advanced neuro-rehabilitation equipment during the expansion phase, including SMARTfit Mini, Biodex Gait Trainer 3 and a Solo-Step overhead track and harness system. These resources would support gait correction, balance training, freezing-of-gait intervention and objective outcome tracking.
The campaign also includes a $75,000 long-term endowment goal to support ongoing staff training, equipment maintenance, educational speakers, community events and future program expansion as needs grow. Commemorative giving opportunities are also available, including naming rights for a lecture series and the center.
Any gift over $1,000 to the center will be permanently recognized on a wall plaque, according to campaign materials.
The Aug. 7 golf outing will include a full day of golf, contests, prizes, raffles and dinner, all while helping bring the Parkinson’s Support Center vision to life.
Those interested can register online at:
https://forms.gle/CFqqJmarE4MRGCZt9
For more information, contact Amber Howell, Marketing Coordinator at Brethren Care Village, at 419-289-1585 ext. 461.
The Parkinson’s Support Center campaign point of contact is Kristine Miller, Wellness Center/Development Director, at 419-496-0356 or kmiller@brethrencarevilage.org.
Brethren Care Village is located at 2130 Center St., Ashland.
