Several months ago we told you about Run for James, a then 2-year-old thoroughbred owned by two of our Directors, Alan Furst and Michael Harrison. As Alan and Michael admitted at the time, they generally have a hard time naming their racehorses, but not this one. “Knowing James, his spirit, his will to win and … Continue reading Run for James: A Guaranteed Winner… with Your Help
The Play for James Foundation has named nine new members to its Board of Directors. The group includes: Mr. David Boccia Mr. William Castner Dr. Alan Furst, MD Mr. Michael Harrison, Esq. Mr. Sean Meehan Mr. Robert Pavone Ms. Diana Pikulski, Esq. Mr. Joseph Santigate Mr. Greg Thompson, Esq. “We’re thrilled to have these exceptional … Continue reading Play for James Foundation Names New Directors
The James P. Koehler Memorial Scholarship at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey was the very first charitable outreach undertaken by the Play for James Foundation. The connection between James and the school began with sports, but not the one you might expect. Although he became a professional baseball player, as a … Continue reading Hoop dreams meet today’s realities
One of the goals of the Play for James Foundation is to provide opportunities for underprivileged kids to play organized baseball in safe, supportive settings, with experienced coaching and quality equipment. For many of us, these “basics” are things we take for granted. Others are not nearly as fortunate. Thankfully, there are people and organizations … Continue reading What goes around comes around… in a good way
Amazingly (at least to us), 2016 is rushing to a close and the holidays are just around the corner. This first year of operation has been a busy one for the Play for James Foundation and we expect that 2017 will be even more active. Much of the planning that’s already taken place will be … Continue reading If you’re making a list…checking it twice… you’ll find we’re nothing but nice
Baseball is in the Play for James Foundation’s DNA. It was a big part of James’ life and continues to be the launching pad for many of the Foundation’s charitable efforts. The U.S. Special Olympics baseball team is representative of the deserving organizations we want to help. If you’re not familiar with the Special Olympics … Continue reading A Baseball Tradition: Stepping Up to the Plate to Help Others
A month or so ago we told you about the Texas Bandits, a team of 10-year-olds from the Houston area where James Koehler had coached and taught for a number of years. The Bandits were one of his special teams and he tried to pass along important lessons in baseball and in life to the youngsters.
Friends and acquaintances who knew and respected James continue to be a source of comfort, kindness and support for the work he started and to which the Play for James Foundation is pledged to continue. As we are discovering in our few short months of operation, sometimes that support comes in highly creative and highly … Continue reading Friends, Athletes (of all types) and Caring
The Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League’s 2016 Capt. Ryan K. Iannelli All-Star Game and pro-talent showcase are scheduled for July 14 at First Energy Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies AA affiliate Lakewood Blue Claws. Named in honor of Capt. Iannelli, a former ABCCL All-Star player who was killed in action while serving in the … Continue reading ABCCL All-Star Game to Benefit Play for James Foundation and Camp Quality
Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “Pay it Forward.” If not, it simply means that if something good happens to a person, he or she turns around and does something good in return. The cool thing about it is that instead of paying back the person who actually did you the kindness, your … Continue reading Pay it forward… Play it forward… however you say it, it’s the right thing to do
