Donors Making a Difference - August 2009
By Richard Lombardo 

Last night I watched the Boston Red Sox overcome a seven run deficit and defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the American League Championship Series.  As my friends and I shouted and danced liked crazed lunatics as did every other patron at this particular establishment, making it look more like an asylum than a local watering-hole I began to ponder a few questions…does every city have this level of passion (and insanity) among their sports fans?  I sincerely doubt it.  Do fans from other cities live and die with each and every game as we do?  Probably not.  And finally, is Boston the only place where athletes can be idolized and beloved in one instant, and chastised and run out of town in the next?  Just ask Bill Buckner.  Regardless of the occasional fanatical behavior, it is this passion and dedication that makes Boston fans great.  It should come as no surprise that this issue’s “Donors Making a Difference” are members of Red Sox Nation, whose passion and love for the Sox has translated into a grand slam for the fight against ALS: Chuck Korb and the Sons of Sam Horn online community.

The Sons of Sam Horn is an online message board, comprised of over 2000 Red Sox fans from across the world.   Red Sox owner John Henry, sportscaster Bob Lobel, and pitcher Curt Schilling are a few of the more recognizable members.  Chuck Korb, as he puts it, “joined the site years ago, before it became difficult to get in.”  That is pretty evident, considering the membership waiting list stretches over 40,000 names.  Those fortunate to be a part of  SoSH can participate in a number of discussion forums, post blog entries, and basically share their love for the “Boys from Beantown” with fellow members.

The Sons of Sam Horn community however, extends its purpose beyond the discussion of “all things Red Sox.”  Each year the online group holds an annual fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund, as well as an annual Softball Bash for varying beneficiaries.  After the 2007 Jimmy Fund event, one member of the Sosh faithful proposed that the group hold a benefit for Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  “Curt Schilling asked member Cheri Giffin if we would ever consider holding a fundraiser for his charity, Curt’s Pitch for ALS.  Cheri contacted me to see if I thought this would be a good fit for our 2008 SoSH Softball Bash.  It was,” said Korb.

The selection of ALS as the 2008 Softball Bash beneficiary was particularly meaningful to Korb, who has been personally touched by the disease.  “I lost a good friend, John Hoyt, to this terrible disease last October.  John was diagnosed with ALS in late 2006, and some of his old friends and neighbors, myself included, started a charitable organization for John and his family…the 2007 SoSH Softball Bash was played for the benefit of The Friends of John Hoyt, and it seemed to make a lot of sense to play the 2008 game for Curt’s Pitch and The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter,” said Korb.

The Sons of Sam Horn revolutionized their annual Softball Bash this year by adding an on-line auction to the fundraiser, allowing members to both donate and bid on items online.  “The way the Sosh community responded and came together for this cause was unbelievable.  The donations from members were extraordinary…the generosity of the bidders was also unbelievable,” Korb added.  Despite the actual softball game getting rained out, an astounding $64,000 was raised for the fight against ALS.  What’s more amazing, is that when originally asked how much he expected the event to raise, Korb responded, “$5,000.”

Korb, though an important piece to the puzzle attributing to the amazing success of the event, did not hesitate to share the accolades.  “LauraLee Johnson, Steve Durkin, Cheri Giffin, Tim Quinn, Mike Espejo and Steve Waters were instrumental in the success of this venture.  Also, all the members that donated items were key to making the auction work.  Finally, we would be nowhere without the lavish bidders.  This was truly a collaborative effort…I am touched by the generosity and spirit of the members of Sons of Sam Horn.  It really has become more of a community than merely an on-line message board,” he said.

Each day I am touched by the countless individuals that give life to our organization.  Most members of SoSH probably have no personal connection to the illness, and yet they selflessly gave of their time and money to help families afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  Korb put it best when he said, “After watching a friend and ex-teammate battle this horrific illness last year, I am happy to have played a role, however small, in helping both the victims of ALS and their families.”  No role could ever be considered “small” when aiding our mission to find a cure for ALS.