Playing sports and video games to paying it forward
“If you have other ways that a 10-year-old boy could help, please call me,” says a 2006 voicemail left for Frank Colarusso, former Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation executive director of development.
That voice belongs to Ben, who had donated his allowance toward a new rocking chair after noticing the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) needed one during his cousin’s months long stay.
Upon discovering his gift wouldn’t cover the total cost of a hospital-grade rocker, he called Colarusso to learn what more he could do, and Ben’s Rock-A-Thon was born.
At that year’s Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees, Ben sat in a rocking chair, spoke about his mission and collected donations, tallying an incredible $85,000 — more than enough to purchase a chair for every NICU room.
In celebration of his generous spirit, the young boy was honored with the first Youth Hero award at Bridge Builders, the Foundation’s annual donor recognition luncheon.
Ben’s example continues with budding philanthropists like Ryder, 15, and Quinn, 12.
Touchdowns and goals for tykes
Ryder was taking a bite of salad at Bridge Builders 2023 when he suddenly heard his name ring out.
“It was really surprising because no one told me beforehand,” he recalls of being crowned a Youth Hero. “But it was great.”
A year prior, Ryder’s mom Jennifer (who is also his football team manager) encouraged him to channel his passions into doing good for others. Empowered, the seventh grader asked his friends and relatives to pledge an amount per touchdown during his season in support of the children’s hospital that has been there for so many of his peers.
Ryder’s initial efforts, assisted by Jennifer and dad/coach Thomas, brought in an impressive $7,355. In eighth grade, he invited his Tides Cruisers team to join his 4 Tykes fundraiser and engage their own networks to magnify their impact for Mary Bridge Children’s.
Now in high school, Ryder hopes to build similar momentum with his lacrosse team.
“It feels really nice to be able to do something that you enjoy doing and to help other people, as well,” he shares. “When you accomplish something, it feels really awesome, but then when you do it for other people, it feels a lot better.”
A gift sparked by Mario and friends
Like Ryder, Quinn also chooses to champion kids, though his story begins with a hospital stay.
In fifth grade, he came to Mary Bridge Children’s with an inflamed appendix, requiring surgery. While recovering, Quinn was thrilled at the opportunity to play Mario Kart from his hospital bed — a welcome distraction from pain and discomfort.
Post-discharge, he saved enough of his allowance to buy a gift card for Child Life Services’ gaming program, which employs interactive technology to help patients heal, cope and feel like kids again.
“I gave because it helps people feel better when they’re not feeling good,” Quinn explains.
Word of his generosity spread, from a post on the MultiCare Foundations blog to winning the Youth Hero award at Bridge Builders 2024. It wasn’t long before others were rallying to Quinn’s cause, including his Tacoma Tigers Baseball Club coach and team.
“Coach saw the article about me and then they started raising the money,” he says. “One day we went and brought all the money and counted it and turned the $500 into the bank. Then we bought Nintendo cards for the hospital.”
Family legacies
Quinn and his family before him have long seen the value in investing in Mary Bridge Children’s — whether delivering video game gift cards, funding sleeping chairs for caregivers to stay in their child’s hospital room, or serving on the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation board. Both his mom Jodi and grandma Wendy — one of the first-ever Mary Bridge Children’s patients — are currently board members.
The fourth-generation donor has also inspired his younger sister Addison, 10 (pictured next to Quinn), who made her first contribution to Child Life in July.
“We love to see our children give to others and their community,” Jodi says.
Philanthropy has caught on with Ryder’s 11-year-old sister Siena, as well. The runner and soccer player is thinking of doing her own version of 4 Tykes called Miles for Smiles, leveraging her athletic prowess into dollars for children in need.
“Giving back is super important to the core of our family,” Jennifer shares. “I love watching the character development and just the idea that they could be changing one family’s life.”
