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Who We Help
It has been 7 years since we established The Jonathan Rizzo Memorial Foundation aimed
at supporting education and helping families in need. Although Jonathan was only 19
at the time of his murder, his zeal to help others was an integral part of his being,
and he embraced and embodied the concept of becoming a "Man for Others". It is this
spirit that we ask you to keep alive by supporting his Foundation. As we face very
difficult economic times, there are far too many families losing their homes, struggling
to put food on the table, and wondering how they are going to pay for the ever-rising
costs of food, health care and oil.
Through your generosity, we have been able to raise over $600,000 thus far. This
year in addition to the scholarships to Silver Lake Regional High School and Boston
College High School, the Foundation was able to help a number of families including
a very hard working, and very involved single father of 2 who is undergoing his
second set of radiation and chemotherapy treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He
had lost significant time at work and was struggling to stay whole. The Foundation
was able to help by paying his oil bill and providing food gift cards for his family.
Another local family lost most everything due to the mother's serious medical
condition. The family was separated and forced to stay in separate shelters, their
3rd grade child has been in 8 new schools in the past 3 years. The Foundation was
able provided financial assistance to stabilize their situation.
Jonathan believed that all children, no matter where they live, deserve every
chance to have a good productive life. This year the Foundation was also able to
help a 14 year old, Nigerian girl who had fallen into a cookstove. She lost her
sight, an ear and one arm, her face is completely scarred yet she retains a joy of
life and a smile that is absolutely infectious.
We thank you for the support and generosity that you have demonstrated over
the years that has allowed us all to help so many deserving people.
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