2011 Charity of Focus

The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families formed in 2005.

FOJ matches a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis. Through a due diligence process, the foundation screens for the best match based on the child and family's needs and the team, coach and athletic director's commitment to our foundation's goals.

After the adoption is completed, the child becomes an extension of the team where a unique bond is formed between the team members, the child and the family. The benefit to all is a personal loving support network that creates a unique bond. The result of the FOJ adoption is the child feels involved and each individual team member gains insight into the value of helping others. Additionally, FOJ has seen this relationship forges a closer bond among team members magnifying the importance of a team operating as a single unit.

Watch the Real Sports piece on Friends of Jaclyn below

Past Supported Charities

2010 Charity of Focus

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston
DBSA-Boston strives to help its members live healthy and dignified lives. The do so by providing a safe and secure setting for people to share from their own experiences and to care for others as they in turn share from their own experiences. They also believe that knowledge of biologically based illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder empowers members to better manage living with psychiatric illnesses.

2009 Charity of Focus

The Melanoma Foundation of New England
The Melanoma Foundation of New England was founded in 1999 by Mel and Marilyn Rubin following the tragic loss of their son, Mark, to melanoma. The Foundation was created to combat the rising rate of melanoma and melanoma deaths. The Foundation provides a variety of educational programs targeting the prevention and early detection of skin cancer and melanoma for both children and adults.

2008 Charity of Focus

National Breast Cancer Foundation
Breast Cancer is a vicious disease that has affected many mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and friends. It is a disease that to this day still affects millions of women. In 2007 40,460 precious lives were lost to Breast Cancer. It is now estimated that 1 in 8 women will fight the battle against breast cancer in their lifetime. Research is still looking for a cure and “Hope Floats” that a cure is close.