The Hoyt Foundation March Newsletter |
From the Office of the President |
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Mom’s Relationship with Rick
Everyone knows that Dad pushed Rick in races. A lot of races. In fact, Dad pushed Rick in 1,142 races. But no one, not even Dad, pushed Rick as hard as our mother Judy. |
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By pushed, in this sense, I mean motivated, encouraged, taught and even willed Rick to succeed. Judy taught Rick to read by rubbing letters covered in sandpaper on his arms and hands. She read to him every day. She taught him math by requiring him to bang his knee on the tray of his wheelchair to answer addition and subtraction problems. Rick’s mom made sure he had a way to participate in everything she could think of, like bowling, and she made him try it.
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If he liked it, it became something the family did – together. She made sure Rick was included in everything the family did from days at the beach to picnics in the backyard. |
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Judy made Rick the truly independent leader and pioneer he was in the field of inclusion. Rick was not the only person mom pushed. Judy Hoyt Pushed the engineers at TUFTS University to create the first communication system for people who are unable to speak so that Rick could communicate independently. |
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Judy Hoyt pushed the public schools in Westfield, MA to include Rick in his neighborhood school. She demanded he be able to go to the same school as his brothers, friends, and neighbors. She then realized Rick was not the only child who needed to be included. So Judy pushed the state legislature of Massachusetts to create and pass Chapter 766 a Massachusetts law that ensures students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, significantly shaping special education services in the state.
Chapter 766 of the Massachusetts General Laws, enacted in 1972, was a pioneering piece of legislation that established the right to special education for children with disabilities. It mandates that all school-aged children (ages 3 to 21) are entitled to free and appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs. This law requires public schools to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for eligible students, ensuring they receive the necessary support and services.
Key Provisions
Inclusion: Chapter 766 promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings whenever possible, emphasizing the least restrictive environment.
Team Evaluations: The law requires comprehensive evaluations and annual reviews to assess students' progress and adjust their educational plans accordingly.
Funding: Local school systems are responsible for funding the appropriate educational costs associated with providing special education services.
Mom’s birthday was March 8th. In honor of your birthday, Mom, thanks for making the world a better place because you were the one that pushed Rick (and the rest of us) the hardest. |
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'Yes You Can' Grant Application Closed |
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The application window for the Yes You Can Grant closed on March 8, and our team received more than 70 applications from individuals and families seeking support. Our review process will begin shortly, and grant recipients will be notified in early June.
Thank you to everyone who applied and to those who helped share this opportunity within their communities. As the Yes You Can Grant program continues to grow, we look forward to supporting even more individuals with disabilities as they pursue their passions and expand what’s possible. |
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As part of their START of Something Extraordinary experience, the 26.2 Foundation and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts present a great way to kick off the Boston Marathon season. |
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April 2, 2026, at 6:30 pm Hopkinton Center for the Arts
Set against the backdrop of the Boston Marathon®, five remarkable marathoners will take the stage to share their personal stories of triumph, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. Each athlete will select a song that reflects their journey, and after their story, a live band will bring that song to life. Come celebrate the intersection of endurance, emotion, and music as we honor the marathon experience in a unique and moving way. Whether you're a runner, a music lover, or simply inspired by stories of perseverance, ‘Stories and Songs’ will leave you uplifted and empowered.
Get your tickets here: Stories & Songs Last year our own President & CEO, Russ Hoyt, shared the story of Team Hoyt and then the live band brought the house down with an amazing rendition of Rick’s theme song – Freebird. |
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This year Mike DiDonato will be one of the featured stories to share his inspiration from meeting Dick & Rick to his partnership with Kyle Brodeur. He now leads the effort to make sure new Duos get to hit the road through building the chairs at Hoyt Running Chairs.
It will be a night no one will want to miss.
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Shout out to our Board Member John Costello for being inducted as a Fellow of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Below is John’s message as he received the honor. |
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Team Hoyt Taper - Run, Roll or Walk with Us! |
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Join Team Hoyt on Saturday, April 11th for the 4th Annual Team Hoyt Memorial Race, featuring the Team Hoyt Taper – a family-friendly event celebrating inclusion, community, and the enduring legacy of Dick and Rick Hoyt.
Held in Hopkinton one week before the Boston Marathon, the course passes the iconic Start Line and Team Hoyt Statue, offering a unique way to soak up the energy of Boston Marathon Week while honoring a powerful legacy.
With a 5-mile run, 2-mile walk, and kids' race, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities! However you take part, we invite you to run, walk, or roll with us!
Event Details:
When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Where: Hopkinton, MA | EMC Park |
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Meet Our 2026 Boston Marathon Team |
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March in Boston means one thing – the Boston Marathon is just around the corner. As race day approaches, our Team Hoyt runners are in the final weeks of training, preparing to chase the unicorn and carry the YES YOU CAN message through all 26.2 miles. We’re proud to introduce this year’s incredible team. Our runners come from across the country – from Colorado to Vermont to right here in our Boston backyard – and each one has committed to training hard, raising funds, and serving as an ambassador for the mission of The Hoyt Foundation.
We invite you to learn more about these dedicated athletes and the stories behind why they run for Team Hoyt. If you feel inspired, you can also support their efforts with a donation to help fuel their race – and our mission. Meet the Team and Support Their Efforts! |
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YMCA Inspiration Awards and Marathon Community Breakfast |
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The Hoyt Foundation invites you to the MetroWest YMCA Marathon Community Breakfast. Ten years ago, Dad and Rick were the first ever to receive the inspiration award. The MetroWest YMCA is building a new facility in Ashland that is named the Team Hoyt Community YMCA. We are hoping you can join us to celebrate and honor this year’s inspiration award winners:
Bobbi Gibb – the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon
Andrew McAllister and Ross Ormond – The first Six-Star Duo (first Duo to complete the original six World Marathon Majors – Tokyo, London, Berlin, New York, Chicago and Boston)
If you are able to join us, here is the link to register |
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Back On The Course - Thanks to Team Hoyt Running Chairs |
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Before her ALS diagnosis, Mary Decker lived an active life and loved running, along with many other outdoor sports. As the disease progressed, however, the symptoms made it impossible for Mary to continue running on her own.
After receiving a grant from Team Gleason – an organization that supports individuals living with ALS – Mary was given the opportunity to reconnect with something she had always loved: racing. Using the grant, Mary contacted Hoyt Running Chairs and rented a duo chair that allowed her family to push her in a local half marathon. Together, they lined up at the Bass Pro Shops Cohick Half Marathon in Springfield, Missouri. Mary shared what the experience meant to her:
“I love to run, and this is one of many things that ALS has taken from me. However, thanks to Hoyt Running Chairs I was able to participate in the [race]. For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like a runner again. I was not watching from the sidelines.”
For Mary and her family, the smiles say it all! It was a special day that brought running, and the joy that comes with it, back into Mary’s life. We’re grateful that Hoyt Running Chairs and the greater Team Hoyt community could be part of making that possible. |
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Run With Team Hoyt in 2026:
Big Cities, Local Favorites, and Global Adventures
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From Cape Cod to New York City – and all the way to Sydney – Team Hoyt’s 2026 race calendar has something for every runner. Whether you want to stay local, take on an iconic marathon, or turn your race into an international adventure, we have a race for you. |
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Falmouth Road Race – A New England fan favorite
Sunday, August 16
Join Team Hoyt for this beloved picturesque race. With ocean views and incredible crowd support, it’s a race day experience like no other. |
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New York City Marathon – A Marathon Major you can’t miss
Sunday, November 1
Take on the Big Apple and take in the roar of New York City! The NYC Marathon is one of the most iconic races in the world – and this year it celebrate 50 years of the race through the five boroughs. |
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Sydney Marathon – Our international charity team debut
Sunday August 30,
Grab your passport to be part of our international debut in the Abbott World Majors! This spectacular race winds through one of the world’s most beautiful cities and finishes at the iconic Sydney Opera House. |
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Applications are OPEN!
Thinking beyond 2026? Fill out the Team Hoyt Athlete Interest Form and tell us about your running goals so we can connect you with future opportunities. |
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