What would you pay to coax a sports legend out of retirement? Think of your favorite player getting back onto the ice - just imagine that instant nostalgia. Yes, seeing such legendary talent might technically be priceless, but if you had to put a dollar-value on it, what would it be?
Okay, now, cut that number in half, or maybe by two-thirds -- and make it tax-deductible.
What if you could donate to a very worthy cause and coax a bald dad in his mid-thirties out of retirement and into a hockey goal beneath the bright lights of Boston's TD Garden? Was he a legend? Is he still one? It depends on your definition: is it legendary to play D3 hockey in front of an average crowd of 35 people? Is it legendary to have a 50% career winning percentage? Is it legendary to never score a goal or record an assist?
If that sounds legendary to you, then I have exciting news: this September, I am coming out of hockey retirement for one night only to tend goal at the Thomas E. Smith Foundation's Courage Cup, where genuine Bruins legends like Zdeno Chara, Ray Bourque, Andrew Raycroft, and Bob Sweeney will be coaching. While I may not be the same goaltender I was in college, I am still wearing the same equipment. So I can promise you, prospective donor, that I will look like my former self, at least until I start moving.
The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is a fantastic organization that fills a vital care-void for those living with paralyzing injuries. The team at TESF often serves as first responders, sometimes in the hospital room (or on the Zoom) with people just days after their injuries. TESF supports via offering advice on cutting-edge therapy or navigating the patchy insurance reimbursement landscape. The foundation also provides very valuable soft consulting. For example, they have offered staff members for live Q&A for someone using a new, complicated wheelchair. They've helped a college kid learn about navigating his campus (and social life) via chair. Importantly, in terms of financial support, TESF awards Quality of Life grants to help with a broad range of needs -- from ramps to chairs to therapy costs. Additionally, TESF supports innovative research, having funded the Miami Project with significant sums.
I've been friends with Co-Founder Tucker for over 15 years and have gotten to know Tom a bit over time. In the beginning, they seeded a great idea with Tom's story & an insane amount of effort, but the current organization -- professionalized, scaled -- is only beginning to approach its potential. They are always short of funding relative to the giant backlog, and that's where we all come in. Please consider contributing.
-- Glenn
