Hello Everyone,

We really didn’t know what to expect when we started Marin’s foundation just a few months after her death.  In many senses, it seemed too soon but there was a familiar, overwhelming feeling that it had to be done and done as quickly as possible.  Marin touched so many lives in her short time with all of us and her positivity needed to continue.  We want to thank you for your support in helping us.  

We also wanted to give you an idea of progress we’ve made so far as well as what we have planned in the near future.

2024 Summary Highlights

• The Foundation raised and received almost $27,000.
• We were able to hold our first ever event on Saturday, November 30, 2024 which was generously hosted by Craig Niven at Crossfit Barrington (crossfitbarrington.com).  The event was sold out!  Our heart felt gratitude to Craig, our event sponsors below and all event participants.  With the help from our event sponsors, event participants and t-shirt sales, the event raised just shy of $7,000!
  • Second City Lacrosse (www.secondcitylacrosse.com)
  • PTI Home Decor
  • Chirofit (www.chirofitchicago.com)
  • Children’s Dentistry Group (www.childrensdentistrygroup.com)
  • Verbic Orthodontics (www.palatinebraces.com)
  • ABC Dentistry & Orthodontics (www.abcdds.com)
• Over 1,700 trees will be planted in Marin’s memory at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests through alivingtribute.org.  The CFB community, specifically Dalen Mathys and Eliza Aliotta, once again showed up and drove this effort.
• SOUL Harbour Ranch received well over $15,000 in donations on behalf of Marin.  SOUL Harbour Ranch provides Barrington and the greater Chicagoland communities with support through animal therapy.  On December 1, 2024, SOUL Harbour Ranch dedicated a memorial bench for Marin which can be visited at their facility in North Barrington.  www.soulharbourranch.org
• We were able to give our first ever “Be the #22” award.  Wyatt Christianson, who was a Freshman during the 2023-2024 school year, was the recipient.  Wyatt is a multi-sport athlete at Barrington High School and recognized by his coaches for his contributions that go beyond statistics.
• Although not directly driven by the Foundation, we want to recognize the “Marin Lacson #22 Scholarship” that was created in 2024 for the Barrington High School Girls Lacrosse Team.  This scholarship directly inspired the “Be the #22” concept.  Through ticket sales and support from the Girls Lacrosse Boosters, the Girls Lacrosse players raised more than $20,000, enough to fund the scholarship for many years to come.  The 2024 recipient was Peyton Forde who helped inspire other players to BHS first ever Mid-Suburban League championship.

Looking forward to 2025

• For school year 2024-2025, we have decided to increase the number of “Marin’s Friends” scholarships from six to twelve in honor of the year that Marin would have graduated.  Each deserving recipient will receive $1,022 to help offset college and/or trade school expenses.
• The Illinois Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association is setting up an annual award starting school year 2024-2025, based on “Be the #22”, which spans across ALL Illinois High Schools that have a Girls Lacrosse program.   The Foundation will fund this award.  Thank you to John Dwyer for helping to establish the award.
• We are planning to hold at least two events in 2025 and aiming for one in spring/summer and another during fall/winter.  More details to come and will be published on our website and social media.
• We will continue our outreach to motivate High School administrators to establish the “Be the #22” award program.  We believe that high school sports is one of the best ways to encourage our youth to keep doing the right things that help better our society.
• We will start outreach to sports figures to discuss the “Be the #22” program to solicit help in promotion and awareness.

We have big aspirations and know that with your help we can get there.  Specifically, we need your help with three things.

1. If you have any connections with High School administrators who can help champion the “Be the #22” program at their district or school, please let us know.
2. If you have any connections with any sports figures who can help promote the “Be the #22” program, please let us know.
3. Lastly, please continue to donate.

We appreciate your past and future support.  Please visit our website (www.marin22mf.org) and follow us on social media for the latest information.  Please also feel free to share this update with anyone who might be interested.

Thank you and best regards,

Bridget Lacson, Mike Lacson and Betty Tonne

President, Treasurer and Secretary, respectively