Walking For Wally - #FightALS

Friday, June 2nd (2023) represents Lou Gehrig's Disease Day in Major League Baseball. That evening, the Boston Red Sox will play host to the Tampa Bay Rays with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm.

In memory of my father -- Paul "Wally" Seaver -- and in conjunction with the 12th Annual "Wally" Seaver High School Invitational (for more information on the event, please see below) -- I, Paul M. Seaver, am pledging to WALK in his memory from my household in Bellingham (MA) to Fenway Park in Boston (MA). The distance will make this endeavor an all-day affair with a route that includes 8 local towns and cities before I arrive on Jersey Street and the ballpark itself. The walking route is exactly 32 miles long. My wife Whitney will be joining me for approximately the last 5 miles as we enter the city and finish the nice, lengthy stroll to the Cathedral of Baseball.

All proceeds from the WALKING FOR WALLY fundraiser will go directly to the 12th Annual "Wally" Seaver High School Invitational -- which annually and directly pledges proceeds to ALS research itself.

Any amount will certainly help -- $10? $20? How about a dollar for each mile ($32)? How about $2 for each mile ($64)? ANY amount can be donated -- big or small -- there is no cap.

We are setting a day one goal of $1,000 as of Friday, April 21st, but we of course hope to ultimately surpass that amount.

All support is greatly appreciated and will help better the 12th Annual "Wally" Seaver High School Invitational and in turn, raise more funds and awareness for Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

We ask for your support in Wally's legacy, but more importantly, we ask for an understanding that this is MUCH bigger than just Wally himself. This is for those people worldwide who continue to fight the disease and unfortunately, the one's that it will affect in the future. We must continue to #FightALS and do what we can to help those who are affected by this horrible disease on a daily basis.

"Wally" Story:

Paul "Wally" Seaver was well-connected to the game of basketball, but as a person, he was so much more than that. A devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful friend and of course -- a coach. Wally spent decades coaching high school and youth basketball in Milford, Franklin and Wellesley, while also living his best life surrounded by family and friends routinely, before a diagnosis changed -- not only his life and career -- but also the lives of those around him. During the 2010-2011 winter season, Wally was enjoying his first season coaching at Wellesley High School, as the JV coach under then-boys varsity coach, Glen Magpiong. On the date of his final JV game -- he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He coached that game, knowing that that evening would forever be his last on the bench. After a brief two-year fight against the disease, "Wally" passed away from ALS on February 5th, 2013.

That day however was not the end of his legacy, but the beginning of a new chapter. Through numerous events and fundraisers -- his legacy has continued to be carried on to this day. His two sons, Paul (who will be making the WALK) and his younger brother Dan, have found their own niche in coaching, but even more so -- joy and satisfaction in carrying on their father's legacy. Through it all and however she can, Debbie Seaver -- Wally's wife and mother of Paul and Dan -- continues to be the guiding support system that continues to motivate, assist, volunteer and support anything and everything that can be done in the hopes of someday finding a reliable treatment and possible cure for ALS. Through the help of so many friends, family members and community relationships, Wally's legacy continues to live on and will continue to live on yet again -- in a 32-mile walk on Friday, June 2nd from Bellingham to Fenway.

12th Annual "Wally" Seaver High School Invitational -- what is it?

Entering its 12th's summer, the "Wally" Seaver High School Invitational is a high school-based, weekend basketball tournament that raises awareness and funds for Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) research. After starting in the summer of 2011 with 16 local high school boys teams, the event has skyrocketed into the largest (non-AAU related) high school basketball event in the Northeast. Today, the event features nearly 150+ high school teams from over six different states -- all gathering and participating for a weekend of summer hoops and the opportunity to raise awareness for ALS in Wally's memory.

This summer's event (the 12th) will take place at Mass Premier Courts (Foxboro, MA) and the Dana Barros Basketball Club (Stoughton, MA) on the weekend of July 29-July 30. Over 75 high school teams (both boys and girls, Varsity and JV) and counting are already committed to this year's event (as of April 20th). A pace at which -- possibly -- could set a new record for participating teams.

To all -- thank you for your support for the WALKING FOR WALLY fundraiser and our ongoing efforts to combat Lou Gehrig's Disease.

#FightALS