From the very inception of the Andy K & Friends Charitable Foundation, we set out to create a foundation with a culture of collaboration among our friends, family, and community. Our vision was to be able to assist families, financially and non-financially, who experienced recent illness, hardship, or adversity. Over the course of the last ten years, the foundation has helped multiple individuals, and families through the generous support of our many contributors.

The Andy K & Friends Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that takes no administrative fees for its services. The foundation was founded in memory of Andrew J. Kavasansky but is also in memory of all the attendees who have lost anyone before their time.

HOW WE BEGAN

 

 

 

It all began when…

 

Andy K passed away suddenly on July 18, 1999. Hours later, David Cone pitched a perfect game. Weeks later, Andy K's friends and family held a little golf outing to celebrate Andy's life and his love for golf.

 

The event was held at Blue Hill Golf Course. Andy worked his last few years at Blue Hill after he retired from the New York City Fire Department. The evening brought great joy to all those who attended. The funds that were left from the evening were donated to the New York Burn Center to help injured fireman.

 

The next fall, everyone was asking if we would do it again. Eventually we gave in, and the Andy K became an Annual event. The following year the world changed forever on 9-11-01. Everyone who was a part of the Andy K wanted to do more. That year at the Andy K Memorial, we raised more money than we ever could have imagined. There were very few dry eyes in the house that night, and everyone in attendance asked if they could do more. Donations were made to families of local firefighters who lost their lives, and an additional $10,000 were given to Andy K's old firehouse (Engine 16, Ladder 7) for the families of the heroes who died that day as well.

 

It is now a decade later and we have many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy into ensuring the work of Andy K continues to grow and expand in order to help as many people possible. (Our website and face book page has catapulted us into an entire new network.) Many of our board members suffered their own personal losses at very young

ages and resolve to help others in the name of their lost loved ones. So this is no longer just about Andy K. This is about everyone who has lost someone dear to them and how they managed to carry on with the help and support of those who cared deeply for them.

 

The people who volunteer and/or donate to Andy K continue to keep the spirit of giving and caring a huge priority in their lives. All those involved in making this annual event a continued success know all to well that the best way to get through tough times is to be able to look out and up for help. The Andy K offers others a bit of hope and support to get back on their feet. Then as soon as they find a way to survive, they in turn find someone else who is hurting and they help them up. This trickle effect happens directly through volunteering, donating, or attending the Andy K Memorial. The impact you make can be directly seen through the growth of the Andy K & Friends Charitable Foundation.

 

May God bless you, your family, and your friends.

 

Thank you for making it happen.