Friends and family members of Tripp Healy, a 1998 graduate of Evanston Township High School who passed away unexpectedly last year, gathered on July 10 for the second annual gala of the foundation that has been established in his memory.
Though Mr. Healy attended only ETHS, one friend said he was “the most popular kid at three high schools,” adding Loyola Academy and Glenbrook South High School to the places he had many friends.
“Tripp was interested in a lot of things. He touched a lot of circles of people,” said Joe Cook, who remained friends with Mr. Healy even after they had graduated from separate high schools and colleges.
The Tripp Healy Foundation “was created to celebrate Tripp’s legacy through community outreach and support for student athletes in the Chicago area,” according to its website, which adds, “Tripp was a great friend, a loving father and husband, and an accomplished athlete. In the spirit of his loving and selfless attitude we aim to give student athletes in the Chicago area opportunities they might not otherwise have.”
Through its annual golf outing, the Foundation raises funds that are used to support young student athletes. As examples, this year the Foundation made a donation to the general fund at St. Joan of Arc and provided scholarship funds for two student athletes there. Foundation funds have also supported the ETHS football program.
Since Mr. Healy had friends at Loyola Academy, the Foundation also benefited that school, providing tuition assistance to a deserving Loyola Academy student-athlete whose family experienced a sudden and unexpected financial hardship.
The Foundation also supported two participants in Urban Initiatives, which provides children in grades K-4 with the chance to belong to a soccer team, regardless of skill level.
About 150 persons signed up to start the day of July 10 with a golf outing at the Highland Park Country Club – more than the course could handle. That evening, nearly 500 purchased tickets for a fund-raising gala with food, music and a celebration of Mr. Healy’s life on the grounds of the St. Joan of Arc Church. The proceeds went to the Foundation.
“It’s amazing to realize the amount of support that the THF has generated from corporate sponsorships and generous donors in just the first year,” said Otto Ade, who, like Mr. Healy, attended ETHS and the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh.
Mr. Ade, to whom Mr. Healy was like a little brother, added, “This foundation is going to become Tripp’s living legacy.”
Anyone interested in learning more about or donating to the foundation may visit tripphealyfoundation.org.