The Howard Fund
The Howard Fund is a fundraising initiative created by his family in memory of Howard, a treasured son, brother, cousin and uncle with Down syndrome who passed away in 2013. The Howard Fund seeks to carry on Howard’s legacy of love and life by working towards a world where individuals with and without Down syndrome share in a genuine community together full of supportive friendships and a great joy for life.
The Howard Fund supports PALS Programs, a national non-profit that creates immersive experiences for individuals with Down syndrome and their peers. The Howard Fund is dedicated to capacity-building of PALS - seeking to reach more and more individuals with Down syndrome across the country, and around the world -- in addition to providing grants to those families needing financial assistance to attend Camp PALS.
About Howard
Howard Beryl Gordon was born on January 2, 1946, in Washington, D.C. to parents Manuel and Shirley Gordon, the youngest brother of Eileen, Dobbie and Myrna Gordon. Howard, who had Down syndrome, had a life filled with family, love and sports. At the age of 20, Howard was invited to be a towel boy for the Philadelphia Eagles, arranged by his sister Myrna Snider Thomas, a life-long caregiver--married at that time to Vice President Ed Snider-- who later went on to found the Philadelphia Flyers. Myrna describes, "The players dressed him up in a uniform and gave him a ball and they were teaching him to be a pro, so to speak. He had a great sense of humor, so they had a great time with him." Howard is also fondly remembered by the early members of the Flyers, and Spectrum personnel, who loved him and his sunny personality. His sister Dobbie describes Howard as "very funny and very mischievous...He had a fabulous personality."
Donate to the Howard Fund
Donate by credit card online or mail checks made out to "Howard Fund" to:
PALS Programs, 30 S 15TH ST, STE 1550 PMB 98586, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102-4806