The Matthew C. Baumeister Foundation was founded in memory of our son, who died suddenly on May 11, 2005, at the age of 19. Matthew was a compassionate and caring young man who we believe would have done great things for this world and made a difference in peoples’ lives. He was one of those special people who seemed to smile from the inside out. His love of life made every one around him happy. He knew how to laugh and make those around him laugh too. People sought him out because he was bright, sensitive, concerned and had a great sense of humor. Because he cared about people, not just his friends and family…
Matthew was diagnosed with a heart defect early in life and endured many hospital stays at Children’s Hospital. He was always surrounded by teddy bears and toys which brought him great comfort, especially in his early years. Before his death, our family accompanied Matthew back to the hospital to distribute toys and books at the holidays, to make life a little more joyful for those young children facing the holidays in a hospital room.
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Though Matthew began school in NYC at Grace Church School, it was at Far Hills Country Day School that he really matured. It was at FHCDS where he was surrounded by amazing lifelong friends that continue to reach out to our family, and a caring faculty that focused on his educational development, that Matthew found academic success.
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In honor of the wonderful times Matthew had at Newark Academy, the Foundation endowed a scholarship in Matthew’s name to enable a student who has faced adversity, to reap the benefits of such a wonderful secondary school education.
Newark Academy has also created a memorial at the tennis court honoring Matthew’s commitment to the game.
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Within a few short hours of orientation Matthew had formed a bond with his dorm mates. Matthew had a unique ability to draw people together, so his new college friends met his old high school and middle school friends and an even larger circle of love was formed. While at college, Matthew participated in every activity offered, often taking leadership positions. Maybe he intuitively knew he had a lot to accomplish in a short time and Bucknell provided countless opportunities.
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Matthew was an extraordinarily compassionate person. If he saw someone in need, he would always help. We try to do the same thing in his memory. We hope that you will perform an act of kindness for someone else by donating to the Foundation to support one of our endeavors in Matthew’s memory.
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The Matthew C. Baumeister Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Memorial Fund established by Matthew’s parents, Lynn and Mitch and his brother, Jared. The Foundation’s reach is expansive – it is to empower youth who face adversity – from providing comfort and solace to a hospital patient by giving them a cuddly teddy bear to clutch, to awarding academic scholarships and awards to children who have faced some adversity in their early life and need a little extra support to be successful. Matthew’s short life was filled with strength, courage and compassion, traits that inspired us to help others in Matthew’s name.
