The Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation (TMCF) was founded in 2013 to pay tribute to Tommy McNamara, a young man who was lost to us in 2012 but will always be remembered. The foundation’s mission is to raise funds to develop and maintain quality recreational and sports facilities for the enjoyment of the youth in the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport community, which was something Tommy was passionate about.
The annual Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament held at the wiffle ball field created in his honor is the foundation’s signature fundraising event, something that is much anticipated and has grown in proportions over the years. The tournament unites community members and businesses who come together to sponsor and/or play as team members in a friendly competition that raises much of funds for the organization, along with coveted bragging rights. Other fundraising events include a newly established golf tournament and donations from organizations and private citizens, which also keeps the McNamara mission rolling.
In return, the organization disperses the funds raised to facilitate and promote outdoor activities for area youth through grants. Most recently, the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation granted $25,000- to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust to establish a Children’s Hiking Trail Challenge for introducing the youth of the Kennebunks to the vast, beautiful trail systems that surround them.
Upon receiving the award, KCT Executive Director Tom Bradbury reached out to the Kennebunk Land Trust and the Arundel Conservation Trust with an invitation to include the three organizations in the challenge and maximize the outreach and number of trails for children to explore in all three communities. The offer was eagerly accepted. "Kennebunk Land Trust is thrilled to open up new pathways for kids to learn outside by collaborating across our three towns community. The natural world does not stop at town lines, and neither does our efforts to create opportunities for outdoor exploration,” Director of the Kennebunk Land Trust Sandy Gilbreath said. Deb Delmage, President of the Arundel Conservation Trust Board of Directors added “Connecting community with the land, is at the core of the Arundel Conservation Trust’s mission. We are excited to collaborate with our fellow trusts, the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, and the Kennebunk Land Trust, to engage the youth of our three communities. This exciting program will provide fun opportunities to learn about the natural world and explore the many trail systems in our three communities.”
The KLT and the ACT will each receive $5,000- for any needed improvements or expansions to their trail systems. The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust will use the remaining funds to improve KCT trails, create, purchase, and distribute materials needed for the new trail hiking project, and for a plaque to be dedicated and placed at a main trail at Meadow Woods Preserve in memory of Tommy.
The trail hiking challenge, which is intended to be ready by the spring of 2025, will be open for all the youth in grades one through eight in the Kennebunks. A list of approximately fifteen places where beauty and enjoyment can be found, and how to access them will be included. At the head of each of the trails there will be a Tommy McNamara sign designating it as one of the challenge sites. A nature journal/ activity book for youth to use while on the trails, designed and created by Jenna Van Haren, KCT’s Education Coordinator will be included. “The nature journal gives challenge participants a place to record each trail password and a way to use their senses while completing outdoor activities and learning about our local environment.” Van Haren said.
A Tommy McNamara medal will be presented to each child who visits at least ten of the fifteen locations at an event in the Fall 2025. A list of trails and grand opening of the challenge will be announced on all three Trust webpages and social media sites once complete.
TMCF board member Sue Rioux said the foundation was excited to receive and act on the proposal as it aligns completely with the organization’s mission. “KCT President Christ Angelos shared the idea with me, and we immediately saw how it could make a real difference. Not every kid finds joy or confidence in traditional sports, but hiking trails provide something different—a chance to connect with nature and explore at their own pace. This idea really stood out to include more kids, create meaningful experiences, and foster a deeper connection to our community and the outdoors.” TMCF President Tom McNamara added “We are delighted to partner with the KCT on this exciting initiative for the kids in our community.”
“We want children in the area to gain knowledge of where these trail systems are and how to access them. More important, we want them to discover the wonders of nature, feel the joy of being in the fresh air and sunshine and develop a love and appreciation of outdoor recreation that will last a lifetime. We see this as a wonderful opportunity for the local land trusts to work together to have more people discover our cherished properties. The children will undoubtedly be joined by their families, hopefully creating new traditions that will become a source of pleasure for years to come,” Bradbury concluded.
FMI and updates on the Children’s Trail Challenge, please visit:
https://kennebunklandtrust.org/
FMI on the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation: https://www.tommymacfoundation.com/