On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the third annual Walk For Frankie 5K Run/Walk will be held at the Corning Preserve in Albany, in loving memory of Frank E. O’Brien III. The money raised will benefit the Moyer Foundation. The Moyer Foundation was founded by Major League All-Star Pitcher, Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen in 2000. In the last seven years the Moyer Foundation has raised over 9 million dollars to support over 100 non-profit organizations that help children with life threatening illnesses or physical limitations, children who are coping with the loss of a loved one, and children who are victims of abuse or neglect.

A project called “Camp Erin” is being established in Albany. Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children grieving the loss of a loved one-created and funded by the Moyer Foundation.  The money raised on October 10th will help fund campers at the Albany facility, which will be held from September 25 - 27, 2009. It costs $500 to send one child to camp and through Frank O’Brien’s Memory Walk, we hope to send at least twenty kids to camp($10,000). The Moyer Foundation is trying to raise $100,000 to fund Camp Erin - Albany for 10 years.

Nationally, the U.S. census estimates that 1 in 20 children will experience the death of a parent by the time they graduate  from high school. More than 3,000 children are dealing with this in Albany County. Research indicates these children are at a much greater risk for depression, suicide, poverty and substance abuse. Children often feel isolated in their grief but rarely receive formal grief counseling. Frank O’Brien wanted to help children at all levels, whether it be a child fighting cancer, coaching kids the game of hockey, or helping his own children understand cancer and the effects it has on a person and the family.