Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie coombs.
Christie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My husband Jeff was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He worked for Compaq Computers and was flying to California on AA 11 for a conference. Our 3 children and I were obviously devastated, and in the wake of 9/11, the entire country wanted to do something to help those families involved, so they sent gifts, money, letters, etc. The local community started a dinner calendar and hundreds of people donated to a college fund for my kids. Trying to find a way to process our grief and spread the kindness that came from that horrible day, we decided to have a fundraiser for the families who were not receiving as much help as we and others were. With a yard sale and auction at the local elementary school, we raised $50,000 and distributed the money to immigrant employees who worked at Windows on the World in the WTC and other 9/11 families who needed it. It felt good to be able to pay it forward.
In the spring friends came to me with an idea for an event (they suggested a golf tournament) that would bring the community together on the 1st anniversary of 9/11. We settled on the road race idea because although Jeff golfed, it wasn’t his favorite way to spend a day. The road race would involve families, and that made more sense because Jeff was such a family man. Now we are hosting our 16th Annual Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race Walk and Family Day, raising about $50,000 each year. After the first road race we needed a way to spend the money, so I created the Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation to assist Massachusetts families affected by death, illness or other circumstances beyond their control. We assist with bills, funeral and medical expenses, fulfilling wishes in some cases, sending grieving families on vacation when they’re ready, paying for counseling, etc. We also support local programs, assist military families and host a giant party for military families (deployed, fallen and injured post-9/11) at the holidays.
In the last 16 years, we’ve raised and distributed more than $900,000. The road race is our primary fundraiser, but now we have been part of the John Hancock Boston Marathon Charity Program so we receive marathon bibs for runners willing to raise at least $7500 for the Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation. Last year 3 runners worked with us to raise $42,000.
Has it been a smooth road?
With regards to the foundation, it has been basically a smooth road, but raising money is never easy. With the road race we were threatened by a hurricane and a tropical storm, but miraculously the skies cleared at 6 a.m. the morning of and we had a beautiful day. Once we almost had to cancel because of west Nile, but the town allowed us to go forward as long as we provided bug spray and displayed signs that west Nile had been detected in our town. The biggest struggles are trying to decide which families we can help and which we can’t, and having to say no to some who have come back two or three times for assistance. It’s difficult, and heartbreaking to not be able to help everyone to the degree they may need the help. Having the foundation has helped us in our grief — a positive place to exert the negative energy of grief.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What we do has been explained in a previous answer. What we are most proud of is being able to assist families when they think there’s no one out there who cares; seeing the smiles on kids’ faces at our holiday party for military families and connecting families with each other at a difficult time of year to be without their loved one; being able to give Christmas to families who think they otherwise cannot provide for their families; we are proud of the good work we do with the help of those who support us through our fundraisers. We are different from other organizations in how we assist families — we don’t have a long application process, and we provide for them in ways others won’t. One child who lost his dad wanted to take guitar lessons — we bought him a guitar and got him lessons because I remembered how music helped my daughter cope with her dad’s death by giving her an opportunity to focus on something that was soothing for her; I remembered how difficult taking that first vacation was after losing a family member so we’ve paid for families to go on vacation; dinner time is tough during grief or while a family member is in the hospital for extended periods of time, so we’ll provide a family with a basket full of gift cards to area restaurants to help them through the dinner hour; we help families with the warm and fuzzy parts of managing grief or illness as well as the practical.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Boston provides numerous opportunities for fundraising and giving back — like with the Boston Marathon. John Hancock is a sponsor and turned their sponsorship into an opportunity to help non-profits raise money for their causes. The sports teams in the area are generous in giving autographed items to nonprofits for their fundraising. It also provides opportunities for us to give some families a chance for a family outing — send them to a red sox game, or the bruins or Celtics, or passes to do the fun things in Boston. It’s an amazing and generous city. My least favorite? The traffic from the south shore to Boston!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeffcoombsfund.org
- Phone: 78719821608
- Email: jeffcoombsfund@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jeffcoombsfund
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffcoombsmemorialfoundation/
- Twitter: @jeffcoombsfund
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/jeffcoombsroadrace/
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