Local Support Doubles Donation to Play Like Robert Foundation's $300K Matching Campaign
by Abigail Landwehr
July 4, 2024 | Ravalli Republic
Creating safer steps means taking many of them. Thanks to grants and donations from community members and local organizations, the Play Like Robert Foundation is closer than ever to its goal.
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“It lasts,” said Phil Leonardi, with the Play Like Robert Foundation. “This trail is going to last and it’s going to bring so much good to the people that use it and the people that don’t. There’s an impact here.”
The foundation was created in memory of Robert Leonardi, a 9-year-old Hamilton boy who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2019. The nonprofit aims to enhance educational and recreational opportunities in the community.
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In 2023, the foundation secured a Montana Transportation Alternatives Grant totaling $1.7 million. This grant will fund the construction of a new pedestrian trail connecting to the existing Robert Anthony Leonardi Trail and is meant to benefit students of Daly Elementary School and community members.
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Before construction begins, the foundation must match the grant with over $300,000 in funds. Community contributions have played a large part in reaching the goal, with over $215,768 already raised.
The newest contributor is Hamilton Insurance, originally pledging a $5,000 donation. In a partnership through the Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance 2024 Make More Happen Awards program, a local campaign to raise awareness helped to double that amount.
The foundation was one of multiple organizations listed on the website. The group needed 500 votes to have another $5,000 pledged, but instead they ended up amassing over 1,100 votes.
Play Like Robert Foundation was awarded a $10,000 donation from Hamilton Insurance through the 2024 Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Awards program. Bryan Jones, Owner & Agent, Hamilton Insurance; Andy Thorpe, Senior Territory Manager, Safeco; Alyce Leonardi, President, Play Like Robert Foundation; Meryn Leonardi, Robert’s Sister; Mary Wetzsteon, Office Manager, Hamilton Insurance; Phil Leonardi, Director of Communications, Play Like Robert Foundation.
​“This support in small-town Hamilton, Montana, it’s just amazing,” Phil said. “Even to see how we stack up against bigger metropolitan areas — people are looking out for us.”
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In all, the total donation was raised to $10,000 for the Play Like Robert Foundation. "Hamilton Insurance is an example of the work independent agents do in Montana," Andy Thorpe, Safeco Insurance Northwest Region Senior Territory manager, said in a news release. "We hope sharing stories like theirs motivates others to contribute to their communities."
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In the meantime, the foundation is continuing to move forward with its plans by allocating more than $50,000 for the initial engineering and design stages of the trail project. The project is a way to remember Robert Leonardi and demonstrate the community's support in turning a tragic event into something positive.
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“And the Play Like Robert Foundation, we're going on,” Phil added. “This is just the first mile. We're going to just keep going until we can be satisfied that our friends and neighbors are able to go out and do so safely.”
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In 2024, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will continue the Make More Happen Awards, potentially donating up to $370,000 to nonprofits. The awards highlight the impact of local partnerships and community-driven initiatives, it added in the release.
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More information on supporting the Play Like Robert Foundation or tracking the progress of the donations can be found at PlayLikeRobertFoundation.org.