Week 20 of #52weeksofgiving- The Mark Fidrych Foundation May 18, 2021 | By: Michelle LeMay

Happy Week 20 of #52weeksofgiving...this week we would like to highlight The Mark Fidrych Foundation. The mission of The Mark Fidrych Foundation is to “enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs through and with a focus on sports and sports education.” 

For Ann Fidyrch, Mark’s widow, the Foundation is merely a continuation of Mark’s legacy of giving back to his community. 

Fidrych, nicknamed “The Bird,” was a colorful and well-known major league baseball pitcher who grew up in Northborough, MA. In 1974 he was drafted into minor league baseball from high school and went on to play his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. After his retirement from baseball in 1980, he moved back to his hometown of Northborough to settle down and raise his family. Tragically, Mark lost his life in an accident in 2009. 

In the time following, Ann Fidrych wanted to find a way to carry on her husband’s legacy of giving back. The foundation was created “as a tribute to Mark and a continuation of the way he lived his life of giving to others.”

Since its origination, the Foundation has donated more than $325,000, with a focus on supporting local organizations including Challenger Division Sports programs, the Miracle League of Massachusetts, the Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Special Needs Program, Thrive Support and Advocacy, Unified Sports basketball and track and field and more. 

To find out more about the organization and donate...http://www.markfidrychfoundation.org/donate/

Thank you to a friend for sharing this local foundation with us. 

#MarkFidyrch #Foundation #givingtuesday #lemayfamilygoodworks #lemayfamily #teachgiving #disabilities #specialneeds #sports #sporteducation