Memorial golf outing raises $20,000 for summer camp for young burn victims

The Balls of Fire golf fundraiser held on May 12 at Wildwood Golf Club in Hampton doubled its fundraising goal by raising $20,000.

The event, held by the WWDD Foundation, will donate the funds to Kamp KOALA, a free five-day summer camp for children who have suffered burn injuries offered by the AHN West Penn Burn Center.

The WWDD Foundation, or What Would Dan Do, was created by the family of local volunteer firefighter Dan Stack, who passed away unexpectedly last year on May 10 at his McCandless home at the age of 51.

“I think that Dan would be extremely humbled and proud of everything that was done in his honor, and the turnout was amazing,” said Suzanne Stack, Dan’s wife, who was there volunteering with their children — Mulaney, 16, Kelby, 18, and Riley, who just turned 22 on May 11.

Local first responders made up the bulk of the 144 golfers in attendance, with 40 volunteers on-hand, according to Ralph J. Pagone of Marshall, who helped organize the event.

The original Balls of Fire golf outing was Dan’s brainchild, meant as a way to thank the local firefighters and serve as a recruiting effort to get additional volunteers for McCandless’ fire departments, said Shawn O’Brien, a life member at Highland Volunteer Fire Department and a 30-year friend of Dan.

The WWDD Foundation was established to raise funds for various nonprofit organizations that were important to Stack, his wife said.

As a nod to the Stacks’ Irish roots, the outing commenced with bagpipes played by Gary Neugebauer, a life member at Perrysville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 248, in Ross and a current active firefighter at Ingomar Volunteer Fire Department, Station 187, in McCandless.

Riley acknowledged all of the players, volunteers and staff before offering a prayer of thanks “for a chance to gather in friendship, service and a little bit of competition.”

“We honor Dan Stack, a man who lived with heart and humor and courage. His spirit lives on through the WWDD Foundation,” he said.

As Riley was beginning the opening prayer, an eagle circled over the group twice, said Pagone, a member of the Marshall Volunteer Fire Department, Station 185, and a life member at Highland Volunteer Fire Department, Station 186. He has been friends with Dan and Suzanne Stack for more than 30 years.

“Some people thought that was planned, but it wasn’t planned. So talk about having a sign from above, right before Riley starts saying a prayer,” Pagone said.

Stack was a longtime volunteer firefighter at the Highland Volunteer Fire Department and the Ingomar Volunteer Fire Department. He held previous positions as a safety and security director at North Allegheny School District and as fire marshal for McCandless. Stack most recently was the safety manager for Goettle Engineering and Construction Co.

Riley volunteered with his dad at Highland.

Kamp KOALA, this year’s beneficiary, is run by volunteer staff and counselors, including medical professionals from West Penn Hospital and other organizations. The summer camp began in 1986 by the West Penn Burn Center to provide physical and emotional healing in a supportive and fun environment for children 7 to 17 who have been treated at West Penn Burn Center, said Keith Gmiter, director of development at Allegheny Health Network.

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation, along with generous individuals, corporations and foundations, underwrites the camp, he said.

The next WWDD Balls of Fire will be May 11, 2026.