The Cormac Finn McCarty Foundation began tragically after Paul McCarty lost his life in a car accident on August 9, 2002. Initially, the foundation’s purpose was to raise money for Paul’s son’s college education.  He was only 10 weeks old when his dad passed away.  Family and friends were searching for ways to help his family, and with the help of a small South Riding community, a golf tournament was organized. 

In the years since and with the persistent help of their community, the McCarty family has continued the tradition of the tournament by helping local families facing adversity. They have successfully supported four families and every year, the tournament more than doubles in size. The name of the tournament is the “Paul Joseph McCarty Golf Tournament” and the premise of the tournament is best encapsulated in the phrase “pay if forward”.  The basic message is simple: look beyond your own problems into the lives of other people and figure out if there is a way to help them. The idea came from the movie “Pay It Forward” where a young boy created a vision for a school project that if he helped three people, and they helped three people, within a few weeks, millions could be reached.  Oversimplified? Possibly, but the message is hopeful and it has become the mission of this foundation and it is defining this Northern Virginia community.

The motto for the foundation is “Neighbors helping Neighbors” and the previous recipients are all actively involved in paying it forward to families who follow them. They truly believe it takes a village to raise a child and are committed to the well being of their neighbors.  Almost every expense for the tournament is donated by local businesses, which allows the foundation to substantially grow each year.  Once a business decides to get involved, they stay involved.  They like the unique quality of the tournament and are moved by the spirit with which it was formed.

By getting involved in this foundation, you get the unique opportunity to experience the best that people have to offer.  Family, friends, neighbors and strangers pull together to do what it takes to offer hope.  Paul’s wife, Susan, is now the President of the Cormac Finn Foundation and she had no idea when she started this foundation that it would become such an addictive endeavor.  For her, it is more that just raising money for a family in need.  It is a day that she gets to honor her late husband and expose her son, Finn, to the life lessons that will carry him through a lifetime and for that, she is genuinely grateful.

   

Please take time to visit our website and experience the good it is doing.  If you feel moved by the stories you read, we would greatly appreciate any donation you can offer. 100% of your donation will go directly to our future recipients that need your help.  Thank you for taking the time to visit us and we wish you the gift of neighbors who care!