Foundation Friday – The Randy Foye Foundation
Beginning today, I will try to highlight one athlete foundation every Friday to try to raise awareness for their causes and hopefully increase the audience for those who are interested in supporting foundations that are headlined by professional sports figures. While many athletes use their fame and fortunes to better themselves, there are many who seem to fully appreciate that their gifts on the court/field/pitch/ice have allowed them to make other people’s lives better.
Today’s inaugural entry will be used to highlight The Randy Foye Foundation, named for and founded by the current Washington Wizards’ guard. While Foye and I have the same birthday (I’m two years older), our childhoods were very different and yet we both ended up at Villanova University. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Foye dealt with many difficulties throughout his early life, including the death of both of his parents by the age of six. With hardships around every corner, Foye was able to channel his strength into basketball and eventually earned a full scholarship at Villanova, where he became one of the best players in the University’s history.
After being picked with the #7 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Foye joined the Minnesota Timberwolves to begin his NBA career. He later started the Foundation as a way to give back to the community where he grew up and still works during the offseason.
The mission statement for the Foundation clearly lays out its purpose:
Randy Foye is dedicated to giving back to the community where he was raised which is Newark, New Jersey. Having lost both his parents by age six Randy has seen first hand the difficulties kids can have growing up in a tough urban environment. Despite growing up in these conditions, Foye still rose up to graduate from Villanova University in four years and is currently playing in the NBA.
Randy hopes to be an example for the youngsters in Newark because he knows the difference a positive role model and nurturing environment can make on a young person’s life. He is committed to showing the community that you do have hope and you can make a difference in this world.
Through Foye’s own story and contacts in the sports, entertainment and business worlds, the Randy Foye Foundation (RFF) raises funds and develops programs and projects aimed directly at improving the lives of the people, especially the kids, of Newark. Working hand in hand with the corporations and the people of Newark, the RFF serves as an example of what a grass roots movement can accomplish through special events if everyone is focused on working hard and giving back.
With a number of impressive Board members, including Chuck Daly, Rollie Massimino, Ed Pinkney, Bill Raftery and Jay Wright, Foye has done tremendous work with the children of Newark and continues to be a shining example of what people can achieve if they dedicate their lives to something they love.
Hosting a number of events in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., the Foundation accepts donations and is also always looking for volunteers to dedicate their time to help the cause.
The Foundation’s next event is on January 24th, a bus trip down to Washington, D.C. to take in a Wizards game, along with a meet and greet with Foye after the affair. Details can be found here.
