Pool tournament honoring Robbie McCarty raises money for charity

FAIRFIELD - This year marked the Fourth Annual Robbie McCarty Benefit Pool Tournament.

Robbie McCarty was a local resident who died from complications resulting from an automobile accident in 2016. The following year, brother Rick McCarty started a benefit pool tournament in his honor.

Money from the tournament has gone to a different charitable organization each year. Now in its fourth year, the tournament has raised $21,440. The most recent pool tournament earlier this year raised $5,840, and it will all go toward the Fairfield Iowa Parks and Recreation Foundation to replace the swing set at Howard Park that was destroyed in late 2019 when a tree branch fell on it.

Robbie's accident

Robbie McCarty died in September 2016 three weeks after suffering major injuries in a car accident. Robbie flipped his car at 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning and remained trapped under the car until he was discovered at 5:45 a.m. Robbie was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. His family was notified to come as soon as possible, because doctors didn't think Robbie was going to make it.

Rick and other family members arrived at 7:15 a.m. Rick said he stayed in the waiting room for three days as doctors treated his brother. During this time, Rick saw the generosity and compassion from other families going through their own ordeals. He hadn't showered in three days and felt disgusting, but he wasn't about to leave his brother. Another family from Fairfield, who was also in the hospital to look after a loved one involved in an accident, gave Rick shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, food and more. They showed him the secrets of where to shower, park and how to find specials on food.

'It's not cheap to live up there,” Rick said.

Robbie endured 11 surgeries during his three weeks in Iowa City. In between each year, Rick saw more families come and go.

'I sat there thinking that I should be worried about my brother, but couldn't take my mind off the families,” Rick said.

One family's story stuck with him especially. A man came to the hospital in the middle of the night, crying and pacing while holding stuffed animals. He had just been notified that his wife had suffered a stroke, and his kids were on their way to the hospital with the grandparents.

'He was going through so much that I had to calm him down as the families before me had,” Rick said. 'I offered him food, drinks and use of shower supplies. To this day we talk with support for each other.”

Meanwhile, Robbie's condition as worsening. He went from having one leg amputated to both. He was being kept alive by dialysis machines and every medication possible for his heart.

'He was fully conscious, and when he woke up, he could speak like nothing happened. But, we knew his body was failing and the infection was spreading,” Rick said.

After one more major surgery, the doctors finally told the family 'no more.” They recommended Robbie go to hospice care and live out the remainder of his time in the most comfortable way possible. Robbie lived four more days with his family by his side.

Benefit pool tournament

'After we buried him, I could not stop thinking about the families that are up there still waiting,” Rick said. 'That sparked my idea for Robbie's first benefit tournament.”

Rick collected donations, advertised and coordinated the event, with help from friends in providing food and organization. He wanted money from the tournament to go toward families like his and those he came in contact with who have to spend days or even weeks waiting at the hospital. He came up with the idea to make overnight packets containing essentials like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razors, lotion, wet wipes, chap stick, Q-tips, hand sanitizer and more.

'I know what it's like to be up there waiting with no money,” Rick said. 'The hospital charges way too much for these simple supplies. That is how and why the first benefit tournament was created.”

In its first year, the tournament raised $5,400. Rick was able to make 500 overnight packets, and delivered them to the university hospital. He said the people who received them were overjoyed.

'They are still using them today, and other people are now matching what I created,” Rick said. 'Any family can ask for one, and we left Robbie's Facebook [page] on there so families can keep in touch.”

The second year of the fundraiser generated $5,200, and that went to the Arc of Jefferson and Nearby Counties to help send people with special needs to winter games. The money paid for their hotel rooms, food, travel and expenses.

The third year's tournament money, $5,000, went to Whatsoever You Do Inc., which is in charge of building the first women and children's shelter in Ottumwa. The money went toward paying for electrical expenses.

For this fourth year of the tournament, the money is going to help finish renovations at Howard Park. The $5,840 raised will go toward new swings and benches.

'The area [Howard Park] is important to me, because it is one place in town that is overlooked,” Rick said. '[Fairfield Recreation Superintendent] Erin Smith had already started the project, and we wanted to help finish it. Plus, we go to the farmers market and see many parents and kids playing. My family uses the park all the time.”

The tournament is co-ed and open to the public, with no limit on entries. Every year, Hankook Tire Company and Fairfield Tire and Service donate the top prize of $1,000 worth of tires to one lucky winner. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each pool tournament is donated. Rick personally chooses the charity that receives the money each year.

'I listen throughout the community and surrounding towns from locals who are not afraid to ask for help or mention someone in need,” he said. 'I don't ever look at applications. And every year will be something different. It keeps the surprise going.”

Rick said he's had a great turnout at the pool tournaments, which feature competitors from the area and neighboring states such as Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri.

'It is truly amazing to see the support of my idea and the hearts of many. From what started as a tragedy is hopefully ending in peace.”