MR8: The Martin Richard Foundation teamed with CollegeHype to create a new line of clothing items to help fund their mission. Photo courtesy TeamMR8This community remains in mourning over the terrible loss sustained by the Richard family in April 2013. The Martin Richard Foundation — created by his parents to memorialize our young neighbor killed in the terrorist bombing on Boylston Street— is one way that we help the Richard family heal by building momentum behind their mission to spread Martin’s vision of peace and sportsmanship.

The foundation is off to a great start. It has given much-needed grants to many wonderful organizations, a number of them right in our backyard, like the Greater Neponset Flag Football League, Savin Hill Little League, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, and the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. The foundation even has a youth board of directors— made up of Martin’s peers ages 9-13, who will help direct “micro-grants” to service projects each quarter. It’s an inspired way of engaging the next generation of peacemakers and community-builders.

This week, the Dorchester-based organization released the names of the 66 people who will represent Team MR8 in next year’s Boston Marathon. The team will be asked to raise a half-million dollars through the race. This year, for the first time, Team MR8 will include a duo entry:
Runner Matt Burdette will push his friend Kevin DiLegge from Hopkinton to Boston in the mobility impaired program of the marathon.

The team will also include 11 Dorchester runners:
Jeffrey Clough, Katherine Connors, Pat Doherty, Eric Gagnon, Danielle Lydon, Michael McCarthy, Katelyn Melia, Heather Monaco, Kathleen Mullen, Eva Trapani, and Steve Wilkins.

“We are thrilled to announce the newest Team MR8 Boston Marathon runners and we are excited to watch everyone come together as a team,” said Denise Richard, Martin’s mom. “We are especially grateful to the BAA for allowing us to have a duo team in this year’s marathon.  Our own Challenger Sports Program has brought so much joy during the past year – Matt and Kevin will be a great inspiration for both the players and their buddies.”

Also this week, the foundation announced that its has teamed up with Dorchester’s apparel store College Hype to offer a line of Team MR8 shirts and hats in time for the holiday season. Proceeds from sales of the clothing line will benefit the foundation, which honors Martin’s message of “No more hurting people – peace” by investing in education, athletics, and community. Go to MartinRichardFoundation.org to view and then buy the products.