ToquiNotes: Dr. Kelly Nelson's $2 Million Dollar Silver Anniversary City Party with Roots from Talk with Wife
By Jeff Toquinto on April 26, 2025 from ToquiNotes
It was one of probably thousands of conversations Dr. Kelly Nelson and his wife Debra have had during their many years of marriage. Yet, it is the one that has led to something that has an impact on so many children, so many lives, so many ramps going to a better quality of life.
The conversation was a quarter of a century ago. Easy math here, that was in 2000. By this time, Nelson was not just well established in Harrison County, he was extraordinarily successful. He knew it, too.
Success was not enough. He knew that as well. He needed more.
But building on what he had been doing did not mean finding a way to build up his financial portfolio, create the world’s best cigar collection, or find a way to retire to a self-purchased tropical island still and sip on some warm-weather cocktails.
Instead, the conversation led him to the road less traveled by far too many in his situation. And it has led to places he could never have imagined.
“I was at a point in my career, successful beyond what I could have ever imagined, where I looked around, and knew it was time to give back. Debbie and I talked about it and thought there had to be something we could do,” said Nelson. “What we saw was a need in our community’s backyard. We felt compelled to make a difference for local kids. We felt we could, even in the smallest of ways, make those kids’ lives better.”
From that conversation, the genesis for the Medbrook Children’s Charity was born. The transplanted doctor with the degree from Auburn University wanted to make his new community closer to whole than it could without him. And he wanted to make sure children here – all 
children – would want to stay here.
children – would want to stay here.
“I’m a West Virginian by choice, not by birth. I never wanted to see the lights turned out on this state when I died because kids didn’t want to be here,” said Nelson. “I wanted to see my part of the state see every kid have the opportunity to love the state like I do and want to stay here.”
Nelson turned quickly to one thing he knew and loved away from the medical practice. And that was the game of golf.
“I was, and still am, a golfer. Back then, and even today, a golf tournament is always a good way to raise money and awareness,” he said. “We know golf tournaments are a dime a dozen, but we also knew they usually make money for the cause they are supporting because there are hardworking people behind them. To get started, you have to have money and raise interest and hope it continues to be able to drive funding needed for your cause.”
For those wondering if it worked, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, this year marks the 25th Annual Medbrook Children’s Charity Golf Classic at the Pete Dye Golf Club.
It has grown from a field requiring Nelson and the rest of the dedicated board members and volunteers soliciting folks to play 18 holes to one where there is a waiting list. It has grown from one where there are so many teams wanting to play that they have far too many teams
in the field. The Classic has grown to an exclusive, must-be-at golf tournament so important that everyone knows going in there is no chance you are playing 18 holes or anywhere near that.
in the field. The Classic has grown to an exclusive, must-be-at golf tournament so important that everyone knows going in there is no chance you are playing 18 holes or anywhere near that.
It has grown like a weed. Yet instead of sucking life out of what it has grown around, it is providing it.
Need proof?
As the charity heads into its key event, it has a 24-year total of $2 million raised with half of that going to the Harrison County Board of Education. We will return to that shortly.
“Honestly, I had no idea it would strike a chord like it has and the community would not only take it to the next level, but take it to the next level every year,” said Nelson. “That has allowed us to do a lot of good things.”
Those good things? Funds have been provided to the Harrison County School Nurses Discretionary Fund, the Children’s Apparel Program, the Friends of Bridgeport Recreation, Inc., Bridgeport Challenger League Baseball, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, and so much more.
The genesis of the funding, as well as the bulk of it, hits the school system. And for those who think it may just be a matter of a new coat, or covering the cost of a prescription, you would only be partially right.
A child needing oral surgery, coffins and even burial plots for students who pass away, mattresses, a doctor’s office visit, hygiene supplies 
are handled. Essentially if there is a need in the school system or an agency working with Medbrook Children’s Charity, the need gets met. It has been met to the tune of more than a million dollars all because Kelly Nelson and his wife Debra decided it was time to give back 25 years ago.
are handled. Essentially if there is a need in the school system or an agency working with Medbrook Children’s Charity, the need gets met. It has been met to the tune of more than a million dollars all because Kelly Nelson and his wife Debra decided it was time to give back 25 years ago.
The real beauty of it? The main fundraiser, the aforementioned golf tournament, has become a destination event – a calendar saving stop that each participant knows is going to be more jaw dropping than the year prior.
Nelson, as anyone who knows him already knows, is not going to let the silver anniversary of the event be anything but monumental.
“We always call it our party with a purpose. This year, the party and the purpose are going to a level even we never believed,” said Nelson. “I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised, even blown away. We also want people to know this is the start of the next 25 years of the charity, and that we’re just getting started.”
Nelson said details will be coming out soon, but there is one big change already out there. This year’s event will not fall on Monday. It will
not be a one-day affair.
not be a one-day affair.
Instead, it will be on a Saturday and a Sunday – July 26-27.
“Here is the big lesson about a good cause or any cause. People want to have fun, so we let them have fun,” said Nelson. “Giving doesn’t have to be painful and there is nothing wrong if you are doing good deeds and having fun at the same time.”
While Nelson is the spokesperson, or the leader of the Medbrook band, there has never been a conversation about the charity – this one included – where he has failed to mention is volunteers, the community, and the board of directors.
Currently, that board consists of David Alvarez, Tom Aman, David D’Annunzio, Michael D’Annunzio, Nicholas Dawkins, Adam Dyer, Marc Halbritter, Evans King, Roger Lehosit, Sarah Moore, David Peasak, Laura Pickens, Dr. Jacklyn Rominger, Johnnie Rominger, Becky Shaver, Mark Urso, and Steve Willians. Nelson, Alvarez, Ama, David D’Annunzio, Halbritter, Lehosit, and Williams are all original board members.
“We have six of us that have been there since the beginning, but we now have people on the board a lot younger who have taken the torch from the long timers and I know when I’m dead and gone they’ll be running with it,” Nelson said. “Not only is that new blood critical for continued success, but they’re also smart enough to know to bring new blood along in the future to continue passing the torch.
“I might be the name and voice of the charity, and our board does the work, but the heart of it is the community. The community takes care of the community,” he continued. “An orchestra needs a conductor, and I can wave the baton, but you have to have the orchestra, which is our community, behind you or you don’t have the music.”
Nelson may want to pass all the praise as the conductor, but he is Medbrook Children’s Charity’s Leonard Bernstein. And the music that has been made thanks to a conversation 25 years ago is simply beautiful.
Click HERE to go the Medbrook Children's Charity Web site to learn more about it, and also contribute to their cause.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Dr. Kelly Nelson at his work office in Bridgeport, while he's shown making a presentation to the Harrison County Board of Education in the second photo. In the third photo he is shown with his wife Debra at one of many Medbrook Children's Charity Golf Classics. In the fourth photo, Nelson, left, is shown with, from left, Mike and Kim Martin, Joe Shuttleworth, and Lisa Lang at the presentation of $150,000 for the Medbrook Children's Charity Inclusive Playground at The Bridge. Botttom photo shows Nelson, left, having a convesation months after the check presentation following the playground's groundbreaking.
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