There are many meaningful ways to memorialize a loved one who has passed.

All of them are heartfelt, comforting and inspirational. But one of the most moving ways is assisting someone who is experiencing life challenges which are similar to the ones your beloved faced.

Take the Zeke Mumma Memorial Golf Outing as a great example.

"We do know it's a good thing," said Laurie Mumma, Zeke's mom and one of the organizers of the benefit golf outing. "We've always wanted to help people, but we don't have thousands (of dollars) to give away. There are so many different things you need for these kids; it's just a world of expense. If we can help people, we're just like, 'Let's do it.'"

Recently, the Mumma family helped stage the 15th edition of the annual Zeke Mumma Memorial Golf Outing at Manor Golf Club in Sinking Spring. The event raised about $6,000, proceeds that were donated to the family of 15-year-old Conestoga Valley High School student Miles Brenneman, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

About 150 players and supporters participated in the golf outing, as well as a handful of generous sponsors. The Brenneman family is using the money as a down payment on a handicapped-accessible van.

"The goal of the Zeke Mumma Memorial Golf Outing is to help other families who have special needs kids and give them financial support in honor of our son, Zeke," said Mumma. "In the special needs world, it takes finances. (The donation is) a dent in the cost of a van."

"Two friends of mine nominated this family," continued Mumma. "Miles does not eat orally. He's in a wheelchair; he's not walking and talking. But he has emotions and vision, and he does get excited."

The Zeke Mumma Memorial Golf Outing was established in 2012 to help defray the Mummas' medical expenses and supportive costs associated with caring for Zeke. After Zeke passed in April of 2021 at the age of 17, the Mummas decided to continue conducting the golf outing and to present the proceeds to families who have similar needs.

Over the course of its existence, the golf outing has raised more than $150,000, and during the last six years the Mummas have blessed six different families with the proceeds. That money has gone toward things like housing renovations, doorway widenings, an all-terrain wheelchair, playground turf and tuition to Aaron's Acres camps.

"My husband said, 'I think we can do a golf outing,' and we went for it," said Mumma, a resident of Lititz. "That's how we started it, and we've been able to raise a good check every year. God put it on our hearts to keep going. Over the years, we've had so many people help us, we wanted to help others. It brings the community together. People just see love in progress."

Zeke Mumma suffered a brain injury when he was eight months old and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The injury also affected his digestive system and his breathing.

"Zeke would laugh when you would do fast movements, and he did some Hersheypark rides," said Mumma. "He was nonverbal; his communications were three movements. He had seizures. He loved to be read to. We were his entertainment. He would smile and giggle and laugh. He had a lot of his needs met, and he had to be patient at a point."

"We have a good peace about where he is," concluded Mumma. "My husband and I have peace because he went before us. We were concerned we'd go before him. He is with the best healer in the universe. We are blessed that he is in Heaven. It just makes Heaven a little better to get there."