Robert Leonardi would have been in eighth grade this year.

He loved games and competition, and so it only made sense to his mother and Play Like Robert Foundation co-founder Alyce Leonardi to donate to the new Hamilton Middle School game room, which had its grand opening last week.

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“It made sense for us to be able to positively impact his classmates,” Alyce said in an email to the Ravalli Republic. “His friends were important to him.”

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Robert was killed in a hit-and-run incident in 2019. The community rallied behind his parents Alyce and Philip Leonardi — who founded the nonprofit Play Like Robert Foundation in 2022.

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The foundation donated $6,300 for the “Bronc Corral Game Room Grant” to include:

• A sound system

• Foosball table

• Ping pong table

• Air hockey table

• Pool table

• Giant floor games like Jenga

• Board game Sorry

• Connect Four

Hamilton Middle School Principal Andrea Gray speaks before the new game room is unveiled on March 13, 2025.

Robert’s friends gave teachers a criteria for whom to select to be a part of the ribbon cutting on Thursday, according to Hamilton Middle School Principal Andrea Gray.

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These qualities included being nice to everyone, “really, really smart,” funny, athletic and fun to be around, Gray said. The foundation gives to schools throughout the Bitterroot Valley, and in 2023 gave away a total of $50,000.

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“It’s our way to give back to the community after they were so generous to us in our greatest time of need,” Alyce said. “It’s also a way for us to keep Robert’s memory and spirit alive.”

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The foundation’s biggest fundraiser is the annual Robert’s Run. The in-person race on August 2 also includes virtual participation for those who can’t make it to Hamilton. Racers can sign up for anything from one mile to a 10K on the foundation’s website.