donate now
donate now
logotype
Instagram-1536×1536
Step Up for Colleen
February 5, 2023

Please Vote! 2023 Best of the Northshore Nomination

Thanks to the support of everyone in the community, the Step Up for Colleen 5K Walk/Run has once again been nominated for a Best of the Northshore (BONS) Award by Northshore Magazine! Our 5K Walk/Run has won several times in recent years, and it’s been an honor to be recognized. Colleen’s family and the entire Step Up for Colleen team appreciate everyone that has voted for us and has helped us carry on Colleen’s legacy.

Please vote for the Step Up for Colleen as the Best Community Walk/Run under the Play category. 

You can vote for us and all of your favorite local businesses and organizations by the May 1st deadline by clicking here. Contact press@colleenritzer.org with any questions. Thank you all for your incredible support!

AndoverFireRace square
FundraisersStep Up for Colleen
January 9, 2023

Andover Firefighters Donate Proceeds to Honor Colleen’s Legacy

Andover Firefighters Local 1658 are once again honoring Colleen’s life and legacy by donating the proceeds of their t-shirt sales to the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund. In addition to raising funds through t-shirt sales, the firefighters continue to join the community each year at the Step Up for Colleen 5K Walk/Run. We are so humbled to have the support of the local community, especially the Andover Firefighters!

We invite you to learn more and support Andover Firefighters Local 1658’s efforts by visiting their page.

Join Andover firefighters and thousands of other community members as we honor Colleen on Sunday, May 7th at the 10th Annual Step Up for Colleen 5K. Click here to register today!

cupcakes-1109×1109
FundraisersKindness for Colleen
October 14, 2022

Enjoy Delicious Cupcakes While Supporting a Great Cause

How sweet! Pipe Dream Cupcakes is donating all proceeds from next week’s (now through October 19) cupcake sales to the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund. The menu includes Pink Lady cupcakes, among many other delicious flavors.

The price is $22.50 for 6 or $45 for a dozen. Order yours online by October 19 at 8 p.m. Cupcakes can be picked up during the Kindness for Colleen Blood Drive, which is Friday, October 21 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, MA. You do not need to be donating blood to order cupcakes! If you cannot pick up during that time, please contact press@colleenritzer.org to arrange free local delivery.

Copy of Blood Drive
Kindness for Colleen
September 22, 2022

Kindness for Colleen Blood Drive Set for October 21 in Andover

We invite you to spread kindness in memory of Colleen Ritzer by donating blood to pediatric patients receiving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital. We are hosting their Bloodmobile at St. Augustine Church (43 Essex Street, Andover, MA) on Friday, October 21, 2022.

One adult’s blood donation can support up to four young patients! We call it Giving Pints for Half-Pints. To make an appointment, click here and and use the sponsor code KINDNESS.

Please contact Kristen Walsh at press@colleenritzer.org with any questions. Thank you for spreading #Kindness4Colleen!

IMG_6569 copy
Step Up for Colleen
July 25, 2021

Christmas in July!

Christmas was Colleen’s favorite time of year. To honor her love of Christmas, you can receive a pink CR hat* for a limited time only. Anyone who registers now through July 31st AND donates $25, will receive a hat in addition to the 8th annual event t-shirt. Everyone can use a little extra pink! The hats will be mailed to you in the coming weeks!

If you have already registered, you can still receive a hat! Make a $25 donation between now and July 31st and a hat will be sent your way! Donate today.

REGISTER NOW

*Please note, there is a limit of one hat per registrant. These hats cannot be purchased and will not be sold at the race.

 

MemorialFundLogo_round (1)
Announcements
May 9, 2021

Introducing the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc.

For more than 7 years, the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) has been a trusted partner of our family, the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship and the Step Up for Colleen helping us to manage the resources generous individuals and organizations have donated in support of Colleen’s legacy. That legacy is a significant purpose in our lives.

We have been supported by many who have been touched by Colleen’s story. After much thought and consideration, thanks to your support and shared passion for Colleen’s legacy, we have formed an IRS approved 501(c)(3) and registered nonprofit with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office guided by an independent Board of Directors. The Board Members– who are all volunteers and will not be compensated – are passionate about creating an enduring legacy for Colleen, especially in the areas of assisting future teachers through scholarships, kindness initiatives, assistance for teachers, school safety, etc.

We truly believe that we can make a greater difference in this world and for future generations beyond scholarships through the works of this new organization. The support we have received from so many, including you, has made this dream a reality – establishing a means to enable Colleen to have a greater impact on our communities. We have learned we are stronger together.

The Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc. fosters a society of compassion with kindness as a motivating influence in all its endeavors. Renowned for her kindness, zeal for life, teaching, and love of family, the organization emulates Colleen’s compassion through scholarships, grants and other programs with kindness and education at their core. 

The scholarships and the Step Up for Colleen 5k will continue, just as they have these past seven years, but the funds will now be managed by the independent Board with the highest levels of transparency and oversight. We also look forward to introducing a number of new and exciting and innovative initiatives that will enable Colleen’s legacy to continue impacting our communities in greater ways.

As we embark on this next step, we invite you to visit our new website that was created by volunteers at no cost to the organization. We look forward to your continued partnership as we empower others to be inspired by Colleen’s legacy. We would like to once again thank ECCF, our extended family, friends – new and old, and all those that continue to support our work in spreading kindness and compassion in Colleen’s honor. Our hearts are still broken over the loss of our beautiful daughter and sister Colleen, and they always will be, but they have also been strengthened because of your support.

Thank you and we look forward to having you all on this journey with us.

Tom, Peggie, Dan & Laura

bons Square
Step Up for Colleen
April 28, 2021

Please Vote! 2021 Best of the North Shore Nomination

Thanks to the support of everyone in the community, the Step Up for Colleen has once again been nominated for a Best of the North Shore (BONS) Award by Northshore Magazine! Our 5K Walk/Run has won several times in recent years, and it’s been an honor for Colleen’s family to attend the BONS event on behalf of the entire Step Up for Colleen team of volunteers.

Please vote for the Step Up for Colleen as the Best Community Walk/Run/Bike (Virtual) under the Play category. (Of course, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we’re not sure yet if our 2021 event can be in-person or if it will need to be virtual, so stay tuned to our social media for future updates.)

You can vote for us and all of your favorite local businesses and organizations by the May 2nd deadline by clicking here. Contact press@stepupforcolleen.com with any questions. Thank you all for your incredible support!