80s-Themed Fundraiser In Newtown To Benefit Greg McDonald Foundation

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Greg McDonald Foundation will return to the 80s on Saturday, March 22 when it hosts a community fundraiser at the Newtown American Legion Hall.

The 80s-themed event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Newtown where guests can rock out to the 80s band "White Wedding," complimentary food from a Chickies & Pete food truck, compete in an 80s-themed costume contest and enjoy signature 80s cocktails.

Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Patti to be added to the guest list. Email her at patti@gregmcdonaldfoundation.org

There is no admission fee, but guests will be encouraged to make a donation to the foundation, which annually awards scholarships to hockey players from five different club teams.

“It’s a great cause and it’s going to be a great event,” said Washington Crossing resident Patti Fox-McDonald who started the foundation in January 2024 as a “love letter” to her late husband.

Before he passed away in October 2023 from cancer, McDonald was the vice president of financial operations for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a non-parent youth hockey coach in his spare time for Council Rock North and at a number of other youth hockey clubs.

“He loved the game and he had a tremendous hockey IQ,” said his wife. “I believe he would be so incredibly proud of the foundation and the work it’s doing.”

Coach Greg McDonald huddles with members of the Council Rock North Hockey Team.

The Council Rock North players wear GM on their Jerseys in tribute to Greg McDonald.

With that said, his wife added, “He was a very humble person so the fact that his name is all over this, he probably wouldn’t love that. He would much rather be under the radar. But doing this in his honor, it feels so good and I know he would love it.”

The foundation is carrying on his legacy as a coach by providing scholarships and equipment donations to players with the greatest need from five area clubs - Saint Joe's University Hawks Men's Ice Hockey, Father Judge High School Crusaders Ice Hockey, Princeton Junior Tigers Ice Hockey, Council Rock North Indians Ice Hockey and Grundy Senators Ice Hockey.

Next up for the foundation will be its two biggest fundraisers of the year - its indoor Pond Hockey Tournament at Princeton Day School and a Celebrity Golf Outing at The Ridge at Back Brook, New Jersey. For more information about the foundation and the upcoming events, click here.

“We’ve had an amazing first year,” said Patti, adding that last year’s three events raised more than $175,000 for the cause. “We’re continuing this long term and hopefully one day my children will be running it.”

The couple have two young children - Madeline (14) and Callum (11). Madeline has already joined the foundation as a Legacy Leader in Youth Engagement.

“Greg would be so proud of her,” said Patti. “Once my son is ready, he will hop on board also. The plan is to have the foundation be a long-term initiative that will help to grow the sport and keep kids in the game.”