The I.O. Silver Foundation - Purpose

The I.O. Silver Games was started in 1996 after the December 1994 death of one of Central Pennsylvania's most outstanding individuals, I.O. Silver, MD.  Our idea was to honor the life of Dr. I.O. Silver and, at the same time, help fight the disease that took him from us.

Heart disease accounts for 47% of all deaths.  It is our nations #1 killer.  Deaths from all other diseases in the world added together equal the number of deaths from heart disease.

In our short 5 year history, we have donated over $200,000 to our cause.  In the Year 2000 we turned over in excess of $90,000.  All funds go to the I.O Silver Cardiovascular Specialties Clinic of Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA.  Here the monies are used in the care of patients with cardiac and cardiovascular disease.

Our annual featured event is the I.O. Silver Games Capitol 5000, which is sponsored by SUBWAY.  Our event brings runners from all over the world to Harrisburg.  These world class runners come from Kenya, Morocco, New Zealand, and Venezuela, as well as from all sections of America.  The event also includes a kids' run, a 1 mile walk/run, and a second 5K run for recreational runners.  The events are accompanied by music, food, drinks and prizes. It is quite a morning and takes place in downtown Harrisburg in June each year.  

Since our onset, we have added other events throughout the year.  These events include a racquetball team tournament at Cocoa Court in Hershey, PA on May 5, a "Ride for Heart" (motorcycle ride) in June, sale of "hearts" in area restaurants in February , sale of cookbooks, a golf outing sponsored by Professional Financial Advisors located in Camp Hill, PA in September, and "golf games" at Bumble Bee Hollow Golf Centers in Harrisburg and Mechanicsburg in the summer months.