Who makes an IMPACT in New England?
The Red Sox Foundation has announced finalists for the 6th Annual “IMPACT” Awards. Newtown nonprofit, Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation, has been named a finalist for their demonstration and impact on raising awareness and improving mental health outcomes of the people in their community.
Voting takes place June 22 at redsox.com/IMPACT.
Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to create safer and more loving communities through groundbreaking next generation social and emotional learning (SEL) programs that are suited for all stages of life.
According to Jesse Lewis Choose Love, Scarlett Lewis founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™ shortly after her six-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012, alongside 19 of his first-grade classmates and six educators in one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. Scarlett found out after the tragedy that Jesse used his final moments to heroically save nine of his friends.
Jesse left a message on their kitchen chalkboard, “Norturting Helinn Love” (Nurturing, Healing Love). When Scarlett learned that these words are included in the definition of “compassion” across all cultures, she realized that love, connection and belonging are universal wants and needs that connect all of humanity.
The two organizations with the most votes in each state will win a grant; $10,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. Presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation, the IMPACT Awards will donate a total of $75,000 to twelve nonprofits across New England.
What are the Impact Awards?
As the spread of COVID-19 directly impacts non-profit organizations across New England, the Red Sox Foundation will now be accepting nominations for the 6th Annual “IMPACT” Awards (Inspiring More Philanthropy Across Charities Together) presented by Ruderman Family Foundation. The IMPACT Awards provide Red Sox fans with the opportunity to nominate their favorite local non-profit organization for their chance to win a grant from the Red Sox Foundation. Out of all the nominees received, Red Sox Foundation will name 5 finalists from each state. Then it’s time for Red Sox Nation to vote to decide which deserving non-profit receives the award.
Each year the theme of the IMPACT Awards presented by Ruderman Family Foundation will change to respond to the evolving needs of our communities while staying aligned to the Red Sox Foundation mission. During these unprecedented times dealing with COVID-19 it’s important now more than ever to take care of our mental health. As such, the IMPACT Awards this year will focus on organizations that have demonstrated an impact on raising awareness and improving the mental health outcomes of the people in their community.
The organization with the most votes in each state will win a grant; $10,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. Please see below for the benefits of each grant recipient.