Boston has its share of philanthropists who want to give something back to the society and the people. These folks have seen it all…success, pain and, well, real life. After all that, what they have understood is that helping others is the only gift we truly have to give and true reward.
There are some people like Cam and Paulina Neely who want to give something back to the society. She was a part-time model studying nutrition and Cam was the right wing for the Boston Bruins. Cam is the president of The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care (camneelyfoundation.org) where Paulina is a board member. They are one of Boston’s most impactful philanthropic couples. A Hockey Hall of Famer, Cam’s parents were diagnosed with cancer within six months of each other. He says that experience urged him to turn tragedy into something positive. The Neely House at Tufts Medical Center provides the latest medical and compassionate patient care. In the pipeline is a nutrition and integrative center for cancer and autoimmune diseases, according to Paulina. They renovated the Neely House with quiet rooms, a Bruins Media Room, so the guests can go for some peace. The foundation has raised over $30 million, he adds. “Giving back changes the world in a positive way,” says Paulina. Incidentally, Paulina fought Lyme disease for 10 years.
Lisa Schmid is the founder of Urban Improv, a nonprofit improvisational theater that educates young people about violence and conflict. Her latest endeavor is Our Sisters’ School, a tuition-free middle school for girls in New Bedford, which she started with her husband Joel Alvord. The Peabody Award-winning documentary producer is passionate about making films and wanted to do something that directly helps others by raising money for a production to increase awareness. Besides Our Sisters’ School, her husband and she have established schools in poor regions of Guangxi province in China as well. Many of their graduates receive full scholarships at independent schools who go on to college. The school isn’t just about academics, it’s about the joy of learning providing a chance to those who deserve.
Peter Lynch is a mutual fund rock star. He has a tremendous fan base. One out of 100 Americans has been a Magellan investor. Today, the Fidelity Investments Magellan Fund mastermind heads The Lynch Foundation (thelynchfoundation.com). The foundation supports education, cultural and historic preservation, health care and wellness and the religious and educational efforts of the Roman Catholic Church. Donating around $175 million to over 400 nonprofit organizations, The Lynch Foundation is very much a family affair. His children and grandchildren are devoted to helping others to honor their philanthropic late mother and the love of Peter’s life,
Carolyn. Both Carolyn and Peter both had public school education and they thought that they should offer the same experience to others. The problem is there are around 45 million kids in public school with 30 getting good schooling while others are not. About nonprofit investing, Peter says, it’s about sustainability and scalability and you can see what works and what doesn’t with a charity. That’s when they invest, he says. That isn’t so with the stock market. He says, all his children have been brought up well and are voting members of the foundation. They know they’re lucky, others are not. About the future of the foundation, he says, they would like to keep it going forever.
Digital Equipment Corp. executive Henry Crouse and his wife Claudette are bridging the racial divide and leading the charge for change. Claudette is involved with organizations like the Children’s Museum, Mentors of Color, The Teacher Bound mentor program at Wheelock and others that make a difference in the lives of women and children. She is always at the forefront in any fundraising effort. Henry is involved in all of his wife’s philanthropic efforts and also helps minorities and women grow their businesses. Of her husband she says he has supported her in all her endeavors recruiting many of his business and personal colleagues to her causes. Of Claudette, Henry says, she jumps right into things, while, he breaks things down and builds on each one separately and that they are partners in all aspects of their relationship. Claudette says their philanthropic goal is to make a difference in people’s who need it.
Henry Hornblower of the New England Historic Genealogical Society on Newbury Street, is the grandson of Henry Hornblower II, founder of the Plimoth Plantation. The millennial marketing manager says he has always identified himself with his grandfather and that the stories of his grandfather’s generosity and kindness inspired him to become a philanthropist. Henry’s particular focus is Parkinson’s disease. According to him genealogy means different things to folks. Some of their visitors find they are related to presidents or celebrities. About himself he says that he found out his family has a direct line to Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins. On giving back to society he says our time on this world is limited and he wants to know make a positive impact on people’s lives. He says Parkinson’s disease is a terrible illness that has affected his family. His good friends, Rehana Ashraf and Anne Greene, founded Celebrate Spring Boston to honor those who have been lost to Parkinson’s disease. He wants to support them and this critical cause no matter what. Next year’s event on April 27 will be the biggest and best ever, he says.
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