Cole Schlesner Headed Back to School

 

Steve Plitt says Thanks for Helping Raise Money at

Play For 4 Golf and Social Outing

by David Miller

LOVELAND, OHIO – Plans are that Cole Schlesner, who was severely injured this spring playing baseball is heading back to school next week as a Freshman at Loveland High School. His mother, Wendy said, “He will attend school from 9 AM -1 PM for now. He is very excited and so are his parents. We can't believe that three months ago he was lying in the ICU, and now he will be going to school. He has worked very hard to get to this point, but he still has a long road ahead.”

On Sunday, May 17th Cole was pitching at a baseball field in Loveland and was struck in the head by a line drive. He was air-lifted to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and immediately had surgery to relieve the increased pressure from his skull. Cole spent forty-seven days in the hospital.

Wendy Schlesner said that to celebrate his success this far, the Cincinnati Red's invited Cole to visit the team for batting practice on August 14th. “We were all invited to join Cole on the field, but only he was able to hang out with the players.”

Last July 27, friends, supporters, and well wishers descended on the Oasis Golf and Conference Center to attend the first annual Play For 4 Golf and Social Outing. The charity golf event was held to offset medical bills and other expenses that Cole’s family will incur while he journeys through rehab. The event will be held annually  to help other young athletes around the country with neurological disorders related to sport injuries. The event was billed as a fundraiser for youth athletes who suffer, neurologic injuries, but this year it was a celebration of Cole’s progress.

Cole was transported to the golf event by the same Air Care crew that took him to the hospital when he was injured in April. Cole said he does not remember his first Air Car flight, but the second was. “Amazing and breathtaking.” He thanks everyone for following his story and supporting him. When he landed at the Oasis, he was greeted by hundreds of adults, teammates, and children cheering and waving as the helicopter flew overhead. The Loveland/Symmes Paramedics who responded to the 911 call were also there with an awaiting golf cart to escort Cole from the landing pad to inside the Golf Center, but Cole took off without them walking briskly up the hill to his awaiting fans and his party.

Wendy Schlesner, and Cole's father Scott Schlesner, worked the room inside like proud parents at a wedding, making sure they personally thanked as many people as they could throughout the evening. But, unlike at a wedding reception, this mom and dad spent much time assuring everyone that they themselves were doing OK.

Friends and relatives of the  Schlesners came from as far as Massachusetts, Texas, and Minnesota to celebrate Cole's progress.

A buffet dinner was served, and a slide show of Cole's ordeal was played from two large video screens. The best golfers were announced, and the cash prizes they were awarded were quickly donated back to the cause. Afterward, more celebrating, rock and roll, and the dance floor was open until late in the evening.

Steve Plitt who organized the fund raising event at the Oasis said, “We would like to thank everyone who sponsored, participated, donated, and volunteered.” He said that 240 golfers and over 500 adults and children attended, and more than $51,000 was raised. “The weather cooperated, and we had great day of golf, music, food, and fun.” Plitt said that the event was remarkable, and “We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did. Cole and his family were overwhelmed with the number of people that turned out to support them.”

“Your participation in the silent auction and the raffle was tremendous. Twenty-six lucky winners walked away with raffle prizes and over 110 items were won at the silent auction,” said Plitt.

Plitt said a special thanks is owed “to all the wonderful corporate sponsors.” The sponsors were: John Morrell, IPAC Inc, Woody 2DJ, The Josh Pilot Band, LTS Leaderboard, Oasis Golf Club and Conference Center, Coca Cola, Skyline Chili, Messer Construction, Phipps Reprographics, Kenwood Dealer Group, Fister Inc, LaRosas, Champions, The Edge, Bond Furniture and Mattress Galleries, Jarvis Global Investments, Suburban Pediatrics, Towne Properties, Honeybaked Ham, Kost-USA, Cintas, Wolters Kluwer Health, Access Denied Band, Brinks and Associates, BYH Law Firm, Koch's Sporting Goods, RP Diamond Sports, Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, Prestige, Anderson Heat, Cincinnati Stix, Queen City Crush, Vitamin Water and Spring Mountain Water. 

“It took all of you to make this such a successful event,” said Plitt. “Please save the date and join us next year for the 2nd Annual Play For 4 Golf and Social Outing on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Oasis Golf Club.”