UPDATE: The event was a success, and while I don’t have an official total, we expect the Sports-a-Thon raised an amount in the “five figures.” Thanks to you blog readers for your part in the effort. I plan to post a separate update in the near future.
I am writing this post to ask my friends- any and all, no matter where you live- to contribute to a family in desperate need. A family that has lost their father, and may lose their home.
Last week, my community (Newton, MA) was shocked to hear of the death of Jeff Beatrice at the age of 49. I had the pleasure of knowing Jeff as the coach for my son in Little League- twice. First, with the T-Ball Blue Jays, in which he encouraged and welcomed children the way only a father of 11 can, and later, this past spring, in the majors, where he guided the Yankees to the league championship, and my son to an early All-Star team berth.
Jeff left 11 children, some of whom I have had the great pleasure of knowing, and his wife, Elinor. The financial pressure on the family is more than most of us would like to imagine, and the community is coming out to help them. Read the Newton Tab for more on the story- or the Boston Globe.
One such effort takes place on Veteran’s Day, November 11. Good friends have developed the idea of having an all-day Sports-a-Thon to honor the man who coached so many of our kids. These kids will give back by forming teams and taking the holiday to play some of the games Jeff taught them to love; baseball, softball and (flag) football.
My son will be joining his friends in a game of baseball. These kids will play hard,, have fun and most important- raise money to help the Beatrice family get through an unimaginably tough time.
I only ask one thing: please consider helping. You may not live in Newton or know Jeff, but to help a family in need- even in the smallest way- is one of the kindest things we can do. We talk a lot about community on the social web; if you read this blog, you are part of that community. If you can help, please use the ChipIn widget below. Our team’s goal is $1,000 $5,000, but I bet we can crush that.
Thank you.
UPDATE: Through friends’ encouragement, I have upped the goal to $5,000. I think we can make this happen!
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RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. Playing Sports-a-Thon on Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post] Pls RT!
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RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post]
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Fossils & Spurs care TBD RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Help? [link to post]
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RT @DougH:Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home.He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post]
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RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play sports Nov 11th to raise $. Pls help? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @Fitarella: RT @DougH:Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home.Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post]
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RT @DougH Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post]
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RT BostonCFO RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $ [link to post]
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RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @thecopee @DougH Boy’s LL coach died; fam could lose home. Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Help? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH Boy’s LL coach died; family may lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon 11/11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH: LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH: Boy’s LL coach died; family could lose home. He & friends play Sports-a-Thon Nov 11 to raise $. Pls help? [link to post]
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RT @DougH: Early response for Beatrice family=great! Think we can raise $5,000 for Nov 11 Sports-a-thon? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH: Sports-a-Thon for Beatrices Wed! Family lost father, may lose home; Help me rais funds? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH: Sports-a-Thon for Beatrices Wed! Family lost father, may lose home; Help me rais funds? [link to post]
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RT @DougH: Beatrice family lost father, may lose home; raising $ for Nov 11 Sports-a-thon. Help a family in need? [link to post]
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RT @DougH Beatrice family lost father, may lose home; raising $ for Nov 11 Sports-a-thon. Help a family in need? [link to post]
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RT@DougH: Beatrice family lost father, may lose home; raising $ for Nov 11 Sports-a-thon. Help a family in need? [link to post]
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RT @carissao: RT @DougH: Sports-a-Thon for Beatrices Wed! Family lost father, may lose home; Help me rais funds? [link to post] Pls RT
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RT @DougH: Sports-a-thon tom’w for Beatrice family; lost father-Boy’s LL coach-may lose home-Help a family in need? [link to post] Thx
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@DougH Where is the Sports-A-Thon For the Beatrice Family tomorrow? [link to post]
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Newton friends RT @DougH: Sports-a-thon tom’w for Beatrice family; lost father, may lose home; Help family in need? [link to post] Thx
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RT @jimstorer: Death sucks… especially when you have 11 kids. Donate if you can – [link to post] Pls RT.
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Death sucks… especially when you have 11 kids. Donate if you can – [link to post] Pls RT.
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RT @DougH: Sports-a-thon tom’w for Beatrice family; lost father (Boy’s LL coach), may lose home; Help a family in need? [link to post]
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RT @DougH Sports-a-thon Wed for Beatrices; lost father (Boy’s LL coach), may lose home; Pls Help? [link to post] (Just donated…)
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RT @DougH: Thx all for the generous support of the Beatrice family. Sports-a-thon today, will bring $ noon. To help: [link to post]
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Pls give $ RT @DougH: Thx all for supporting Beatrice family. Sports-a-thon today, will bring $. To help: [link to post]
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As Doug knows, I used to be director of development & media relations at NU’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society http://www.sportinsociety.org.
I’m going to submit Jeff Beatrice for their New Enfland Heroes Award (a legacy of Lenny Zakim & Selma Black).
Adam– that’s great– let me know if you need testimonials from anyone.