In the News
Strike 3 Foundation Announces Top Project of the “Play it Forward” Community Youth Initiative
Monroe, CT, September 24, 2014 – The Strike 3 Foundation’s Executive Director, Craig Breslow, announced the winner of the “Play it Forward” community youth initiative. The “Play it Forward” initiative is a program intended to challenge kids to help others, specifically children battling cancer, by tackling bold, innovative projects.
Director of Operations and Development for the Strike 3 Foundation, and Program Director of the “Play it Forward” initiative, Kelly Breslow, said, “Our vision for the program was to take the passion young fans have for baseball and encourage them to be effective social entrepreneurs.” Over 1,000 students grades K-12 accepted Craig’s challenge, conceiving unique ideas for how they could help children battling cancer. Mrs. Breslow added, “It has been truly amazing to not only see the ideas that kids came up with, but to see the dedication that these kids had to bringing their projects to life. They were never discouraged when faced with obstacles in executing their vision. The sky really is the limit when kids are a given the freedom to create.”
The top submission in this year’s “Play it Forward” program, based on the criteria of innovation, impact, and influence, came from Maxwell Surprenant, 10, of Needham, MA. When asked about the impact of the initiative, Craig Breslow said, “Play it Forward was successful beyond our expectations. The unfettered creativity and compassion that the participants showed was remarkable. Max, in particular, perfectly embodied the spirit of the program. He is a bold, precocious, and innovative kid who is the perfect spokesperson for this campaign. We are truly inspired by his commitment to helping others.”
Maxwell’s project was a Kids Comedy and Magic Night at the Blue Bunny Bookstore in Dedham, MA, in February 2014. The evening included approximately 45 children participants, ages of 3-12, sharing their favorite jokes, along with illustrations and posters that they had made. Maxwell welcomed the crowd and introduced festivities that included a magician, a student oboe player, juggling, an appearance by local author Peter H. Reynolds, and a unique raffle, including a donation of Maxwell’s personal autographed David Ortiz baseball. The event raised $700 for pediatric cancer research and treatment. At the conclusion of the event, Maxwell encouraged all kids to continue to make a difference stating, “it takes one person to start a ripple effect.”
As the innovator of the top project, Maxwell accompanied Craig and Kelly Breslow, on a visit to Massachusetts General Hospital for Children on Monday September 22, 2014 to meet with Dr. Howard Weinstein, Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Maxwell will also be Craig and Kelly’s guest at the Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Ray’s game this evening at Fenway Park, including an on-field meet and greet before the game.
See more photos from Maxwell’s “Play it Forward” project
About Strike 3 Foundation
The Strike 3 Foundation is a charitable agency recognized by the IRS under 501 (c)(3) that heightens awareness, mobilizes support, and raises funding for pediatric cancer research. Founded in 2008 by current Major League Pitcher and Yale graduate Craig Breslow, Strike 3 has donated over $500,000 to Yale University Children’s Hospital as a founding sponsor of Connecticut’s only Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Program. Additionally, the organization has supported deserving research and treatment centers across the country including the Dana-Farber Cancer Insitute, Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Strike 3 also funds a Boston based research project annually. Offices are located in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and California, and is headquartered in Connecticut
Mission Statement
The Strike 3 Foundation heightens awareness, mobilizes support, and raises funding for childhood cancer research.
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Strike 3 Foundation
PO Box 191
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 502-0007