“The more engaged we are with the young people we are supporting, the more people seem to want to join us.” —Rob Griffin
This year, the Corey C. Griffin Foundation celebrates 11 years of believing that all kids have the potential to succeed when afforded the same access to education, mentorship, and work opportunities. Through events like the Back-to-School Backpack Giveaways and Corey’s Kids Christmas, the Foundation connects generosity with the communities these children call home.
“The more engaged we are with the young people we are supporting,” says Rob Griffin, Corey’s father and co-founder, “the more people seem to want to join us.”
For the Griffin family, this anniversary isn’t just about growth. It’s about remembering Corey, a young man who was a force of love, energy, faith, and purpose. He encouraged people to believe in themselves, and he had the uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. His commitment to serving Boston’s youth is what fuels and has fueled the mission of the Foundation for the past 11 years.
“He was a big 11 guy. It wasn’t just his favorite number, it was his hockey number too,” Rob says. “Hockey was fun for Corey, but it wasn’t his passion, his passion was always people.” After Corey’s passing, some friends in the NHL adopted the number in his honor, including Jimmy Hayes of the Bruins and Brian Boyle of the Devils. Many kids who grew up with him wore 11, too, which makes this 11th Anniversary even more special.
Corey’s legacy also lives on through the Emerging Leaders Council, a group designed to engage, cultivate, and sustain the next generation of philanthropists to carry forward his spirit of service. They don’t just raise funds; they show up in schools, run Field Days, hand out backpacks, and build real relationships.
“A lot of the Emerging Leaders Council is around the age Corey was when he passed away,” says Ted Floyd, who co-chairs the ELC along with Hannah Merson. “When you think about Corey’s legacy, he was in his twenties, organizing small events, fundraising, being active with his community, changing the lives of kids around the Boston area. So, the ELC in general, in a way, is a group of people recreating that legacy and playing a part in doing what made Corey so special.”
Rob feels the transition at the Foundation is from remembering Corey to celebrating Corey’s Kids, those the Foundation has nurtured over the past 11 years. “They’re calling us and sharing their good fortune and looking for ways to work with us to help the next generation of Corey’s Kids. Corey is not going to have children, so we consider those kids to be his children. If anyone asks me how many grandchildren I have, we say 10,005, my five grandchildren and the 10,000 kids we support annually.”Rob believes this 11th year will be the best one yet. “When we’re doing something and we see an 11, we feel like we’re doing the right thing.”