TERRE HAUTE —
Getting bigger by the day, babies by the dozen were gathered as a reminder of when they were tiny.
The annual Volleyball for the Small match between Terre Haute North and South Vigo high schools was prefaced by a reunion dinner inside the Patriots’ cafeteria Thursday. About 80 parents gathered for a fundraising meal as they recalled their experiences in Union Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Sarah and Jeff Clutter had their son Reed at the table. Now 71⁄2 months old, the NICU alumnus is working on his seventh tooth, Sarah said.
“Perfect. He’s perfect. He’s started to crawl and get into everything,” she said.
Reed was born with an air pocket in his chest cavity, a minor condition which warranted an extra week in the unit designed for premature babies and those with complications. For the two Terre Haute residents who live nearby, the extra week in the hospital wasn’t financially burdensome, but Jeff said it would be for those with longer stays and drives.
“This is something we’ll be doing every year to help those families,” Sarah said of the annual event.
Launched in 2009, Volleyball for the Small features a pride match as fundraiser between cross-town rivals North and South. Organized by then South senior Larina Coutinho, money raised from the event goes to the Union Hospital Foundation on behalf of the NICU. The foundation in turn helps offset costs incurred by patients and their families.
Larina’s father, Dr. Russell Coutinho, serves as director of the NICU, and her mother Kathleen is an OB/GYN at Union. This year, her sister Marissa continued the tradition spiking balls for the Braves.
“It’s nice to see the girls come together for a good cause,” their father said of the unit.
Union Hospital’s NICU averages about 300 patients a year, he said. According to information provided by the Union Hospital Foundation, 17 patients were staying in the unit this week, including four sets of twins all born within three days of each other. Since January, 238 patients have been admitted to the unit.
Joel Harbaugh, executive director of the Union Hospital Foundation, credited the annual volleyball match with teaching youth about giving to charity.
“And the little ones in the room certainly inspire them,” he said.
About 1,000 friends and family members filled the Patriots’ gym Thursday. Among them were Stephen and Christina Butts, as well as their 21⁄2-year-old daughter Aubrey.
“It was a hard road,” Christina said, explaining Aubrey’s 96-day stay in the NICU. “We’re blessed in this community to have a NICU like this.”
Aubrey was born after only 26 weeks gestation, entering the world at 1 pound, 1 ounce.
“But once she started gaining, she started gaining,” Christina said, adding she now returns to the unit to counsel other parents there who form something of a family through their experiences.
The couple set on the side of North, the district in which they live and from whence Stephen was graduated in 1993. But Christina pointed out she graduated from South in 1995.
Peter and Leah Coppinger brought their 18-month-old twins, Kellan and Lydia, to watch. Born 26 weeks into gestation, the two weighed in at 1 pound, 11 ounces and 1 pound, 10 ounces.
“They spent about 100 days in the NICU,” Peter said. “A long time.”
Union Hospital’s 15-bed NICU is the largest in a 70-mile radius and is staffed 24 hours a day. More than $40,000 has been raised on its behalf through Volleyball for the Small in the past three years.
Brittani Chamberlain was returning to the court later that evening amid the night’s matches. The Patriot junior wore her dark blue jersey with “Volleyball for the Small” emblazoned across. Her team had just won its game and was returning for another round.
“It was really stressful but we kept it up and were able to win,” she said, agreeing the annual rivalry produces a charitable good. “I feel like we help out a lot.”
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Old friends: Russell Coutinho, neonatologist at Union Hospital, holds Aubrey Butts, whom he cared for for about 100 days after her premature birth. They were at the Volleyball for the Small game at Terre Haute North Vigo High School on Thursday night. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Daddy’s little helper: Jeff Clutter gets some help feeding his son Reed before the Volleyball for the Small game at Terre Haute North Vigo High School on Thursday night. Patients of Union Hospital’s neonatal care unit and their families were recognized at the annual fundraising game.
Discussion
City volleyball teams play for the small
Annual North-South volleyball match brings back NICU patients
- News
-
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. -
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
State to spend $2M to clean up voter rolls
Indiana’s bloated voter registration rolls, which officials say make elections more susceptible to fraud, will soon come under more scrutiny by the state.
-
Community tips lead to arrest on methamphetamine charges
Acting on community tips and other information, Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville District Meth Lab Enforcement Team were led to a rural Vigo County residence where they arrested the homeowner on meth-related charges and a female companion on a Clay County warrant for driving while suspended.
-
Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29
Bargains galore are expected along a 824-mile stretch of U.S. 40 as the annual The Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29 and continues through June 2
-
Woman arrested after selling relatives truck without permission
A Terre Haute woman faces a charge of auto theft after being arrested for selling a relative’s vehicle without permission.
-
Redevelopment Commission hears TIF districts in good shape
Terre Haute’s special economic development taxing districts, known as TIF districts, are in good financial shape, according to a report given Wednesday to the city’s five-member Redevelopment Commission.
-
Tribune-Star staff wins awards from IAPME
The Tribune-Star was well represented once again at the annual Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards in Indianapolis Saturday.
-
Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket effort begins Friday
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Vigo County Traffic Safety Partnership is urging everyone to buckle up as Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort begins Friday.
-
Giving back to the community: Day of Energy
Flowers and fresh paint. A new platform for handicapped seating. Spotlight replacement. And even a new utility pole and electrical service. About 10 different projects made positive improvements at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds on Thursday through a volunteer work day called “Duke Energy in Action.”
-
Former Peabody mine to be industrial mega site
A new industrial mega site is ready for development in southwestern Vigo County.
-
Indiana Rail Road benefits from Canadian contract
Starting July 1, Indiana Rail Road will be hauling shipping containers from Chicago to Indianapolis as part of a partnership with Canadian National railroad.
-
First Lady impresses in visit to Terre Haute elementary
A former art teacher, Indiana First Lady Karen Pence harkened back to her own classroom days when she visited art students Tuesday morning at Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Terre Haute.
-
Trailer filled with watermelons catches fire on I-70
Officials don’t know what exactly caused a fire in a produce trailer filled with watermelons Tuesday afternoon.
-
Woman struck by car while walking along U.S. 41
A Terre Haute woman remains hospitalized this morning after being struck by a car along U.S. 41 at Honey Creek Street, which is in the area of Honey Creek Middle School.
-
Flood damage assessment for assistance starts Monday
Local, state and federal officials will begin conducting joint preliminary damage assessments for public assistance in 18 Indiana counties starting Monday morning.
-
Two-semi crash snarls I-70 traffic
One driver received minor injuries in an accident Tuesday afternoon involving two semitrailers on eastbound Interstate 70 in Vigo County.
-
125 Years of Help: Salvation Army celebrating its 125th anniversary
For 125 years, the Salvation Army has been helping residents of the Wabash Valley by providing basic needs for those without.
- More News Headlines
-
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Thieves Drain $45M From ATMs in Hours
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
Hatchet-wielding viral video star, once a hero, now a murder suspect
