By Judith Dorato O’Gara

Franklin High School Boys’ Basketball players took time out of their weekend on Saturday, March 29th, to deliver several cases of basketballs to the Santa Foundation in Franklin. Both JV and Varsity basketball players, the latter recently winning a state championship, with help from volunteers from their Boosters organization, participated in the donation, which will help provide local teens in need with gifts this upcoming holiday season.

Karla Boudreau, right, of the Santa Foundation, gives a hug to Kristen O’Leary, left, of the FHS Boys Basketball Boosters, on the morning of the donation.

Karla Boudreau, of the Santa Foundation, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the basketball team and the Boosters organization for the donation, which fits right in with the Santa Foundation’s and her Meme’s Stockings theme of “caring for the community.” Boudreau welcomed the young athletes to the new Santa Foundation space at 275 Washington Street to make the donation and become part of a larger charitable effort.

“Prior to this, out of Joy Street, we couldn’t have anybody into the facility, and now it’s a completely welcoming environment for really anyone of any age to be part of the Santa Foundation, said Boudreau. She hopes this donation sets an example for younger teams.

“It’s kind of nice. We hope it becomes tradition, said Boudreau, “especially for teenagers – we don’t have a lot of gifts for them.”

Kristen O’Leary and Kevin Sullivan, of the Franklin High School Boys Basketball Boosters, were the adults actively involved in helping the team organize the donation.

“We try and say it’s on and off the court, but CJ Nealy, the coach, doubles down on character,” says O’Leary. “’Act how you want to be remembered,’ he tells them, and so this is one example of how they can be remembered for doing something for the community and for each other. Charity is a big deal, and they are humble enough to know that they’re in 

a place where most kids are not, in terms of being champions.”

Kevin Sullivan explained that Karla, a neighbor of his and Kristen’s, revealed that the Santa Foundation struggles with enough gifts for adolescents and older teens.

“This is a natural,” said Sullivan, “The community supports the team and athletes so much at Franklin High School, and specifically this basketball team here. They come out to the games, they sit in the stands, they cheer these boys on, people that don’t necessarily have a kid in high school. It’s just one way to give back to the community that supports these teams and these players.”

O’Leary explains the Boosters raise money all year long and decides each December where money is going. Much of the funds are raised at the concession stands, and the boys also participate in a calendar raffle. She added that a few years ago, the players did trainings for younger kids as a fundraiser as well. “They’re seen as role models, and we want them to act as role models, and this is an opportunity to do that.”

Coach CJ Nealy accompanies the players to make the donation, although he insisted he took “zero credit” for it, as “it was all on the Boosters.

We want to always find ways to give back,” said Nealy, “The community supports us so much. You don’t see that type of crowd in a lot of gyms we play in. We just have a great supporting town and community, and any way we can give back to that town is really what we want to do.”

The 39-year-old Santa Foundation’s mission is to ensure needy families in the area have gifts at Christmastime and it has helped families with support with utility and housing costs as needs arise. The organization holds various fundraiser throughout the year, with a Charity Disc Golf Event coming up on June 29th at Dacey Field in Franklin that will include instruction, lunch, a tournament, and raffles. For more information on the event, visit https://sfdiscgolf.my.canva.site/. 

For further information on the Santa Foundation, visit www.sfjoy.org.