Thank you so much for your generous donations and outstanding support of Youk’s Kids United & Strong = NYC + BOS event. As some of you are aware, we have had to postpone the event due to a scheduling conflict with one of Kevin’s Yankee teammates. Both the One ...]]> Dear Friends and Supporters of Youk's Kids,

Thank you so much for your generous donations and outstanding support of Youk’s Kids United & Strong = NYC + BOS event. As some of you are aware, we have had to postpone the event due to a scheduling conflict with one of Kevin’s Yankee teammates. Both the One Fund and the Breezy Point Fund are very near and dear to Kevin's heart, just as we know they both mean so much to all of you. Please stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming events and ways in which you can help us support the two great causes.

Love,
Youk's Kids Staff

What inspired you to start participating in events such as Reach the Beach?

In college, I became a counselor to kids with HIV and AIDS. I lost someone in high school and never got the chance to tell him how much I cared for him and what an incredible person he was. I never got the ...]]>

What inspired you to start participating in events such as Reach the Beach?

In college, I became a counselor to kids with HIV and AIDS. I lost someone in high school and never got the chance to tell him how much I cared for him and what an incredible person he was. I never got the chance to say good bye or treat him the way I wish I did. I worked with these kids because I knew most of them would die, and I would be able to say goodbye to them before they left this earth and to be able to openly tell them how wonderful and amazing they were. It changed my life- it was some of the happiest moments that I will ever have and also on the passing of 2 specific little boys- it was some of the most painful.

Ryan C. was an 11 year-old and I became a big sister to him. We even looked alike. There was a bond between us that I can't begin to explain. I fell in love with him, his sense of humor, his passion to play outside, his personality and his hugs. At the time, children with AIDS were infected by tainted blood given to them in hospitals through surgery or treatment for hemophilia. Overnight these beautiful kids became Lepers because society didn't understand the disease and thought hugging or getting close to someone with AIDS would instantly infect the person. Ryan and I played outside a lot.  He loved baseball but when his little league team found out Ryan had AIDS, all the parents protested and had Ryan kicked off the team. When Ryan died at 14 years old, I swore I would honor him. I swore I would use my capable, healthy body for good and never take for granted my health and ability to move. I did the Boston and New York AIDS Ride that year. It was 300 miles on a bike for 2.5 days. It was emotionally and physically grueling and painful. Now, I run and ride and tri for a reason for all of those who can't, who wish they could and for those who will never get the chance.

Who has been your biggest influence throughout your training?

My team members! If it was not for the incredible group of dedicated athletes on this team, I would not be training the way I am. I love turning running into a "team sport." I also think of all the kids who can't run and the countless family and friends that donate and support me throughout all these years!

What other races have you participated in?

I have run the Boston Marathon 5 times, as well as the Chicago and Miami Marathon once. I  competed in the Mount Snow Tough Mudder in  May 2012, Ruckus in 2011 and 2012, Cranberry Olympic and Sprint Triathalons, and Run to Remember Half Marathon 2009-2012.

You also started a non-profit. Tell us about it.

I founded The Seat Swap in 2009. It is a unique, non-profit that allows children throughout New England who are emotionally, financially or physically unable to afford tickets on their own to attend Major League sporting events. Tickets are mainly donated by generous ticket holders, and the Seat Swap then covers all additional expenses for the family to fully enjoy the positive experience without worry or concern.

When did you first start participating in fundraising events? 

I first started fundraising when I was around 13. I assisted my parents in putting together a memorial road race for a close family friend who lost his life to brain cancer. Since then I have always had a passion for helping other people. I have ...]]>  

When did you first start participating in fundraising events? 

I first started fundraising when I was around 13. I assisted my parents in putting together a memorial road race for a close family friend who lost his life to brain cancer. Since then I have always had a passion for helping other people. I have sat on and assisted in many charities and fundraisers to benefit people and places of all sorts. It is something I truly enjoy doing and will continue to do in the future.

You listed a quote on your runner bio. What is it and what is the significance for you?

The quote I used in my bio is one which my father has instilled in me “It’s not what you take from this world; it’s what you give back”. This is a quote in which he lives by and I have come to live by as well. My father and I have always supported charities. We are all in this world only once and you never know when you may need someone to help you out, so I have come to take nothing for granted for life is short.

How do you plan on preparing for this race?

 I have been planning for this race by participating in local road races, running on my own and focusing on my strength and conditioning in the gym. I have all the confidence in the world with the amazing team we have put together.

What do you do when you are not training?

 I started my Detailing company HAD – Holmes Auto Detailing about 12 years ago. I all began by my cleaning of my personal car and was asked if I could clean a neighbors, from there came more neighbors and the rest is history. I have grown my business from an out of home detail shop to a prime location in Hanover, Ma on Route 53. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to maintain a business throughout the economic struggle and I make sure to assist others through my business as well. I donate approximately 20+ detailing gift certificates and about the same amount of gift baskets to charity events ever year.

What’s your greatest inspiration?

I am a happily married father of 3 children and love my family more than anything in the world. I truly believe that if it weren’t for them, I don’t know if I would be participating in RTB. They are my motivation in life and I strive to show and teach them that anything is possible in life to overcome. No matter how difficult an obstacle, race, job or anything may be. If you believe in yourself and have the support of loved ones then you will succeed.

Could you elaborate more on your company Stone Harbor Trust?

 Stone Harbor Trust is a fee-only wealth advisory firm located in Shrewsbury, ...]]> This week Youk’s Kids had a chance to talk with Adam Waitkevich. Adam is currently serves as a board member for Youk’s Kids and looks forward to participating on our Reach the Beach Relay team!

Could you elaborate more on your company Stone Harbor Trust?

 Stone Harbor Trust is a fee-only wealth advisory firm located in Shrewsbury, MA. Our clients are families, individuals, 501 (c)3 organizations and corporate retirement plans.

 What is your main role as a board member for Youk’s Kids? 
My main role is to leverage my network and surrounding community to help create a greater awareness of the important role Youk’s Kids plays in improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the Greater Boston area and beyond.

Can you discuss your experience running in the 2010 Boston Marathon on the Youk’s Kids Team? 
The Boston Marathon (training and running of) was a truly a unique and unforgettable event for me. Through Youk’s Kids, I was inspired to get out of my physical comfort zone in order to make a difference for others in need. The team-dynamic and support only added to the element of training and running one of the most well-known races in the country.

 
Who would you say has been your biggest influence throughout your training?
If anything, the fear of being unprepared for the event is my biggest motivator. As part of Youk’s Kids team, I know others are depending on my ability to be prepared and that keeps me motivated to train and get ready.

Michael currently serves as a board member for Youk’s Kids. He hopes the previous marathons and triathlons that he has participated him will provide him adequate training for this relay. One the main concerns he has is the length of this event – ...]]> Recently Youk’s Kids caught up with Reach the Beach team member Michael Shaner.

Michael currently serves as a board member for Youk’s Kids. He hopes the previous marathons and triathlons that he has participated him will provide him adequate training for this relay. One the main concerns he has is the length of this event – running three 4-8 mile legs in a 24 hour period with only catnaps in a van is unlike anything he has ever done before. Michael has been running, biking and swimming in preparation for the race. He is not familiar with most of his teammates, knowing only the two other board members on the team.  This makes him somewhat nervous as he wants to make sure he can contribute to the team. More importantly, Michael knows the funds he and his teammates raise with their run is going to help many children.

When asked what he likes most about running he commented, “Running allows me to think clearly and helps me to think about things that are bothering me.”

Help Michael help Youk’s Kids

Why Youk’s Kids?

Youk's Kids supports the two most important things to our country, our children and our veterans. Our veterans support us now and our children will support us in ...]]> Youk's Kids recently sat down with, Scott Cavagnaro, one of our Reach the Beach teammates and spoke to him about why he chose Youk's Kids and his training regimen.

Why Youk’s Kids?

Youk's Kids supports the two most important things to our country, our children and our veterans. Our veterans support us now and our children will support us in the future. I think its only right to give back to them what we can.

How do you plan on preparing for this event?

To prepare for this event I am going to stick to my normal training regiment but also ramp up my running quite a bit. Along with training runs with the team, I will be participating in multiple Spartan Race events to help improve my distances. We've been having team meetings to break down the logistics of RTB and choose what legs people are taking so we can give it our best effort.

What other races have you previously participated in?

In the past I have run countless 5K & 10K's. I recently ran the Run For Your Lives Zombie run that is a themed adventure race, a very fun time. My team and I paced a friend who had his doubt about even finishing the Boston Marathon, that was an amazing experience and motivated me to run it myself in the future.

Could you elaborate more on your Boston Marathon experience?

The Boston Marathon is a race unlike I've ever seen. Watching it on TV does no justice to how hard the leaders are running. It's more than just that thought. For the rest of the runners it means just as much as it does to the winners. When our runner, Rudy Pauls, crossed the finish line and ran to his family you could tell it meant everything to him to finish.

Who would you say has been your biggest influence throughout your training?

As much as I'd like to claim to be self motivated, I'd have to say my close friend First Lieutenant Mike Fleming. Mike is one of the best this fine country's army has to offer and if I can keep up with him then I'm doing something right. He's pushed me to be better at every step of training, even from across the globe when he was deployed. 

Are their aspects of this relay that frighten you or you think will be more challenging?

RTB is not a race to come to unprepared that's for sure. This will be one of the most challenging races I've ever participated in. But no, I'm not worried. My team has a very strong bond and I think with all of us motivating each other we'll be able to handle whatever the road throws at us.

Two hundred miles, twenty-four hours, twelve runners, one team, impossible you think? Not for our incredible team of runners representing Youk’s Kids in September’s Reach the Beach Relay sponsored by New Balance. They are a dedicated group just like the fans of Boston! It was a goose bump moment as the fans at Fenway gave ...]]>  

Two hundred miles, twenty-four hours, twelve runners, one team, impossible you think? Not for our incredible team of runners representing Youk’s Kids in September’s Reach the Beach Relay sponsored by New Balance. They are a dedicated group just like the fans of Boston! It was a goose bump moment as the fans at Fenway gave Kevin a rousing welcome when he took the field for the first time as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

At Tuesday’s Sox v Sox game, Kevin demonstrated his devotion to his charitable work by meeting with children of servicemen and women during the pre-game batting practice. The energy on the field was great as the kids were welcomed by Red Sox and White Sox alike.

The energy and devotion that Boston brings is exactly what Youk’s Kids needs to kick start this relay off right. So let’s do it! Help Youk’s Kid’s make the impossible possible and make dreams a reality for children. Twenty for twenty! Please consider making a twenty dollar donation in honor of our favorite number twenty jersey!

Support the team!!!

Kevin Youkilis tipped his helmet to the fans as he came off the Fenway field for the last time in a Red Sox  uniform. What an amazing ...]]> On Sunday, July 15th ESPN featured a thank you letter from Kevin.  Below is the text of the letter. The full article with pictures can be seen at http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/20866/kevin-youkilis-letter

Kevin Youkilis tipped his helmet to the fans as he came off the Fenway field for the last time in a Red Sox  uniform. What an amazing run I have had these past 8 1/2 years in Boston!

It has been an honor and a privilege to play every home game of my career inBoston before a sold out Fenway Park. I would like to thank everyone who gave me an opportunity in Boston, and stood behind me through all these years. To the Spinners, the Sea Dogs, the PawSox, and to all those teammates on the Red Sox since 2004, I am forever grateful.

I want to thank the Red Sox ownership for all the hard work and dedication to making the Red Sox and Fenway Park a special place to play. They have always supported me on the field, and have helped out in many ways off the field. I can't thank them enough for my time in Boston.

To Terry Francona, who led us to 2 World Series championships in 2004 and 2007,I thank you for your support and personal guidance through my career with the Red Sox. I thank you for being there for me not just as a manager but as a friend off the field. Thank you for the opportunity to play in 3 All-Star Games, winning 2 World Series, winning the Hank Aaron Award and a Gold Glove. I could have never accomplished all this without all my great teammates and coaches who made me a better player.

I want to thank my parents and brothers for all their support from the day I got drafted. Without my Dad's hard work building that batting cage, and my Mom tirelessly schlepping me around to all my games, I would never have lived my dreams in Boston. I want to thank my beautiful wife Julie and all her family for all their support. We will always cherish Boston since it was the city in
which we met and married.

I also want to thank all the philanthropic people around New England and across the country who supported my charity in the past and continue to support Youk’s Kids. Since its inception, we have raised over $3 million to support the neediest of children in Red Sox Nation. While my days of playing for the Red Sox have ended, I am still committed to serving the New England area through my charity. I thank all the charity’s sponsors for all they have done, and their continued support going forward.

And, last but no means least, to all the Red Sox Nation, the home of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans in baseball, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. That final game at Fenway was the most emotional day of my life on the baseball field. It could not have been scripted any better. And to all those kids out there in Red Sox Nation, I can give you my Dad’s advice. “Life is like a throw to first base, always aim high.”

I love you all, and thanks,

Kevin Youkilis