Martin Richard Foundation

The Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable foundation established by the parents of Martin Richard, an 8-year-old boy who was killed in the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013. The foundation is dedicated to promoting education and sports in the community.[1]

Since 2014 the foundation has raised money through its own charity team at the annual Boston Marathon. Team MR8, named after Martin Richard's initials and his favorite sports number, is composed of volunteer runners, including runners who may not usually qualify to run in the race due to their time scores.[2] The team members raise money for the foundation, which in turn invests in projects such as the Challenger Sports program at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Park Project, and community clean-ups. Donations to the Challenger Sports club help finance athletics programs for children with disabilities.[3] Martin's Park, set to open in 2018, will be located in the Seaport District adjacent to the Boston Children's Museum.[4] Construction began in June 2017, following a $13 million investment from the Martin Richard Foundation.[5] The park will overlook Fort Point Channel and feature a children's playground, a performance space, and an upgraded Harborwalk,[1] as well as a garden and water park.[5] During 2016's "One Boston Day", the foundation sponsored a community clean-up of Dorchester's Peabody Square and Dorchester Avenue.[6] Team MR8 raised $1.25 million during the 2014 Boston Marathon Race,[2] and raised over $2 million[3] as of March 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 "Seaport District may find its soul in park named for Martin Richard - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  2. 1 2 "Martin Richard Charitable Foundation announces 59 members for Team MR8; seek more runners". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  3. 1 2 Merrill, Kate. "Martin Richard's Legacy Lives On Through Challenger Sports Program". Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  4. ↑ "Martin Richard Foundation launches funding drive with message of strength, peace - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  5. 1 2 "Work Begins This Summer On Martin's Park — Named After Martin Richard — In The Seaport". www.wbur.org. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  6. ↑ "Martin Richard Foundation to lead local observance of One Boston Day | Dorchester Reporter". www.dotnews.com. Retrieved 2017-01-13.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.