About us
WHO ARE WE
The Parker Fund, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that was established in 2016 in memory of Nathan Parker who lost his battle to drug addiction at the young age of 27. Nate was a lover by nature. The relationships he amassed from an exceptional taste for the outgoing were long lasting and deep. Nate’s selflessness was bested only by his flair for fun. At the time of his passing, those closest to him reflected on missed opportunity and lack of guidance that could have been the difference in him still being with us. We spoke of these fleeting chances that could have altered his story to one still being written. At its core, The Parker Fund exists to be that difference in continuing the stories of others.
Our purpose is clear but, our direction still unfolds. As our positioning to generate revenues finalizes we’ll begin our plan in maximizing its impact. We’ll shift our focus and set our sights firmly on combating one drug addiction at a time. Our passion in carrying out our mission statement will serve as fuel and we welcome contributions from all of those who stand for the same.
OUR HISTORY
- 1/13/16 The Parker Fund is established with 9 board members who are close friends, family and colleagues of Nate's striving to make a difference
- 8/22/16 -The first annual golf tournament was held. This has become a landmark event within our community and has sinced raised over $100k to help those fighting addiction
- 10/9/16 -The first recipient of financial aid was awarded and given help and a room at The Roger's Home for Sober Living
- 12/1/16 -Exempt from federal income tax under internal revenue code section 501 (c) (3)
- 12/3/16 -The first comedy show was held. Another successful event that instantly become a favorite among the community. Lots of laughs all while raising thousands of dollars
- 4/30/17 -The first kickball tournament and food truck festival was held. This free event was created to drive addiction awareness and celebrate sobriety and will be happening each spring
- 8/25/17 -The 2nd annual golf tournament was held at Swansea Country Club. Rebranded as the Nathan Parker Classic; the tournament was our most profitable event to date!
- 8/25/17 - The 2nd Chance Partner Program was established. An individual to receive a 2nd Chance at life by helping them get into a sober home and live an addiction free lifestyle.
- 4/19/2018 - Our 25th recipient of the 2nd Chance Partner Program was awarded and given help seeking an addiction free lifestyle.
- 1/14/2019 - Our 50th recipient of the 2nd Chance Partner Program was awarded and given help seeking an addiction free lifestyle.
- 3/4/2021 - Our 100th recipient of the 2nd Chance Partner Program was awarded and given help seeking an addiction free lifestyle.
- 4/1/2022 - The Nathan Parker Memorial Scholarship was established. Given to High School seniors that have been affected by addiction, whether directly or indirectly, within immediate family.
- 5/19/2022 - First and Second recipients of the Nathan Parker Memorial Scholarship was awarded each $1,000 scholarships.
- 8/26/2022 - The Nathan Parker Classic hit a new milestone and was the most profitable event in the history of fund to date.
about nathan Parker
Nathan Edward Parker was born on September 26th, 1986. He was raised by his mother Lauren, Grandmother Susan, and Aunt Jude in Attleboro, MA. From the outside looking in, Nate’s youth was that of a typical All-American. He enjoyed popularity and athletic success having been blessed with the tools to play the part. His fast legs, quick wit, and signature smile placed him at the center of attention. A closer vantage reveals why in many ways, he is still there.
Nate spoke most often to your inner child. His world was filled with endless smiles and laughter which created a sort of gravitational pull. Spend enough time and he’ll have pulled some kind of prank on you. Spend more time still and the hopeless dreamer he was comes clearer into focus. He just wanted to have fun – he just wanted everyone to have fun. These ideals fueled his charisma and his downfall simultaneously. In 27 years, he gathered more sincere connections than most achieve in a lifetime. It’s why he’s often spoken of as family. Nate was given the gift of a bottomless heart.
“Parker”was a truly special human being. If for only one reason, it’d be for his selflessness. In a forest of givers, Nate’s tree grew tallest. His time, his heart, and his company were as readily available as the shirt off his back. For the many who felt this, it wasn’t what he gave so much as how. He would drop everything. It was a reflex. It was his way of reaffirming how important you were to him. The relationships he forged left roots nourished by what was in retrospect, his love.
Socially, he was an artist. His medium was his personality and we his canvas. It’s here we feel his absence the most. We recount the emotions he evoked and lament there can’t be more. The world withheld from his future expressions is a tragic loss. The Parker Fund is in many ways a tribute to the genre he embodied. To be giving –forgiving –and fun loving was his path and it’s by those he inspired who carve out that path further still.
Our Team
Dave Silveira - President
Kyle Frazier - Vice President
Craig McBride - Treasurer
Sarah Parker - Secretary
Lauren Parker - Board Member
Chris Baptist - Board Member
Kyle Heverly - Board Member
Matt Shepperson - Board Member