The Caroline Fries Endowment was established by a unanimous vote of the board of directors of the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation on April 24, 2009.

The fund is named after Caroline Fries, the beloved manager of the Barnstable High School girls varsity ice hockey team, who lost a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma on January 25, 2009 at the young age of 17. Much of Carolines life centered around the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Memorial Hockey Rink, the Barnstable Recreation Department, and Barnstable Youth Hockey Association, where she was a fixture in both figure skating and hockey. Carolines spirit and enduring smile is the inspiration for the establishment of this fund and her compassion for the youth of our community will be our guiding force for the distribution of funds to support the disadvantaged and at risk youth who so desperately need the safe haven of the Hyannis Youth & Community Center.

Fundraising, policy and fund disbursements will be guided by an advisory board comprised of members of the Fries family, the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation board of directors, and community leaders. The initial board includes Wes and Chris Fries, Carolines parents; Danielle Chaulk, Carolines aunt; E.J. Jaxtimer, President of the Barnstable Youth Hockey Association; Dave Chase, President of the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation board; and George Gillmore, Vice President of the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation board. The advisory board will make recommendations for disbursements periodically to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation board.

The goal of the Caroline Fries Endowment is to build the endowment to a $500,000 fund within five years and a $1 million endowment within 10 years. The principal would be invested by the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation and the income would be available annually for distribution beginning in 2010.

Donations to the Caroline Fries Endowment can be made by check to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation, PO Box 1051, Centerville, MA 02632. The Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation is a non-profit foundation established under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Regulations. Questions may be addressed to the Foundation at (508) 775-6799 or by contacting HYCC.

Photo courtesy of David Still II and the Barnstable Patriot.

Barnstable Youth Hockey Enthusiasts raise the $50,000 check presented to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in January.

Individuals wishing to make a pledge for the Youth Center in honor of Ms. Johnson’s Marathon effort should call 617-335-6908 or 508-775-6769.

In partnership with the Town of Barnstable, the Hyannis Youth and Community Center Foundation has launched a capital campaign to raise the $14 million needed to build the Center. The Center will be built with a combination of Federal and private foundation grants, individual and corporate philanthropy, and bonds, which will be repaid from revenues. The operating budget of the facility will also be paid for out of revenues. Fundraising to date has generated $10.36 million of the $14 million projected cost. There are no plans for Town funds to be diverted to this project from other critical needs such as schools, roads and public safety.

This state of the art facility will provide much needed recreational and community services to the youth and residents of the Town of Barnstable. Design plans will include a youth center, gymnasium, two full size ice rinks, and all-purpose community meeting rooms. The facility will be constructed where the Kennedy Memorial Skating Rink currently stands, to better serve the large number of families with a high need for youth-related services in the immediate neighborhood. Financial status will not be a barrier to participation at the Center.

Tax deductible donations should be made payable to the Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1604, Hyannis, MA 02601. For more information, call (508)775-6769.