2022 / 2023

OVER $500K RAISED IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL P. FRIEZO, IN SUPPORT OF THE FRIEZO FAMILY SUPPORT FUND AT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING

Michael’s enduring wish was to be remembered as a man with great empathy for others. He supported Memorial Sloan Kettering long before his own cancer diagnosis, spanning back to the 1990s, when he ran the New York City Marathon as part of Fred’s Team. Since then, Michael and his family have become increasingly involved in supporting MSK's mission and have donated over $2 million to establish the Friezo Family Support Fund. The Fund helps alleviate economic concerns for families with children receiving cancer care at MSK.

MICHAEL P. FRIEZO HONORED AT THE RICE BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON 2023

Every year Rice celebrates their scholarship donors for changing the lives of our students. This year at the Rice Business Scholarship Luncheon, Lauren Friezo spoke in honor of her father, Michael P. Friezo '88, who created the Michael P. Friezo Family Endowed Scholarship and passed away on July 15, 2022.

THE FRIEZO FAMILY FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES TO PINE CREST SCHOOL INCLUSION AID

The Pine Crest School is committed to building a socioeconomically diverse student body. Contributing to their need-based inclusion aid program helps make the full Pine Crest experience accessible to families.

THE INAUGURAL MICHAEL P. FRIEZO LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO SENIOR AT NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT DEMAREST

The scholarship for a rising graduate is based on leadership, service and empathy – all qualities that Michael exhibited through his time at Northern Valley, and beyond.

THE FRIEZO FAMILY FOUNDATION ENDOWED LONDON SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED FOR IES ABROAD LONDON STUDENTS

Michael P. Friezo (IES Abroad London, Fall 1982), and David C. Friezo, London spring '85, both studied on IES ABroad London programs while attending college, and together have created an endowed fund for IES Abroad students studying on any IES Abroad program in London.

CREATIVE WAYS TO GIVE BACK: THE FRIEZO CHARITABLE LEAD AUNNITY AT TULANE UNIVERSITY

David Friezo’s charitable lead annuity trust gives Tulane a specified amount from the trust each year for a set number of years, and then the remaining assets get transferred to his heirs with little or no gift and estate tax. Friezo’s trust supports his endowed scholarship fund at Tulane. "It has also meant so much to me to provide scholarships through the Friezo Family Foundation Scholarship Fund to underprivileged young people. It’s important to me that we level the playing field, to give all kids, irrespective of financial wealth, an opportunity to study at Tulane."

PHILANTHROPY IN REVIEW: HOLY CROSS HEALTH IS BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE

"Each day Holy Cross Health strives to bring hope and healing to our community; [the Friezo Family] contributions have made it possible for us to succeed in fulfilling our mission."

PAST NEWS COVERAGE

JEWISH FAMILY PULLS OFF A "TOYS FOR TOTS" CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, WITH HELP FROM THE FRIEZO FAMILY FOUNDATION DONATION

"A Jewish family from Connecticut has pulled off a Christmas miracle for 2,200 needy kids in New York City. The family sprang into action when Toys for Tots was overwhelmed by demand and didn’t have enough toys to go around. Within 24 hours, Gabriella Rizack, 22, her dad, Joshua, and brothers Reid and Emmet came to the rescue by raising $17,000 to deliver gifts to the waiting children — including kids in domestic violence shelters. “Never in my life did I think I’d be begging friends and neighbors to drop everything to help with a Christmas project. Nor did I ever expect to find myself dressed as Santa Claus or my kids as Mrs. Claus and two elves,” he said in the appeal. Joshua was “blown away” by the response. About $17,000 came in within 24 hours — and money is still pouring in. Joshua, a financial consultant, thanked the New York Multifamily Group at Marcus Millichap and the Friezo Family Foundation for major donations." Read the full article: https://nypost.com/2017/12/19/jewish-family-pulls-off-a-toys-for-tots-christmas-miracle/.

"THE RACE IS OVER, BUT YOU CAN STILL HELP MSK KIDS"
David's story, "I Ran the World’s Coldest Marathon for MSK Kids," has been selected as the feature story on Mermorial Sloan Kettering's Giving website. Even though the race is over, you can still help MSK kids. You can still donate to pediatric cancer to help kids and their families by supporting the Friezo Family Support Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While the race has ended, there are still children with pediatric cancer who need our help. Please visit https://giving.mskcc.org/.

DAVID REFLECTS ON HIS EXPERIENCE AT THE NORTH POLE:
"I made it! I have completed the 2014 UVU North Pole Marathon. I ran alongside 47 competitors from 20 countries at the top of the world. Through snow, ice and -30 Celsius plus wind chills – I persevered. My total race time was 11.20.26. It was the most challenging 11+ hours of my life. The conditions were tougher than usual and the UVU race director mapped out a 12-lap course marked with flags spread over 26.2 miles. There was a lot of soft deep snow and ice chunks and as time went on, the course deteriorated further becoming more and more difficult. Keeping warm in the elements was challenging and visibility was difficult as my goggles and face kept freezing up, including my eyelashes. Nonetheless, I managed to finish with only some stage-one frostbite on my nose and on one toe! Not bad. In short, the race was an exhilarating experience and the competitors were an interesting bunch. The beauty of the North Pole is hard to put into words. The entire race took place in a sea of white that left me breathless! I have attached some pictures. In addition, there are some great photos and video clips on the UVU North Pole Marathon Facebook page I wish I could have shared the experience firsthand with all of you. I want to thank you personally for contributing to my North Pole Marathon pursuit, and donating to the Friezo Family Support Fund at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Thanks, Dave."

DAVID FRIEZO FEATURED ON 06880: WHERE WESTPORT MEETS THE WORLD
David's UVU North Pole Marathon endeavor was recently highlighed by Dan Woog, a Westport freelancer, on his blog 06880. Woog agreed to match the first $5,000 donated to The Friezo Family Support Fund at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Click here to read the article: "David Friezo Does Santa."

DAVID FRIEZO TO RUN UVU NORTH POLE MARATHON
On April 9, 2014, David Friezo will unite his fundraising efforts and love of running by participating in the UVU North Pole Marathon. The North Pole Marathon is a 26.2-mile race that takes place at the Geographic North Pole. Runners travel to the North Pole and run on Arctic ice floes, with six to twelve feet separating them from 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean. Temperatures during the North Pole Marathon are estimated to be as low as -37 Celsius. David, by no means a competitive runner, is attracted to the physical and mental challenge of running the North Pole Marathon and the unique opportunity it presents for him to support the mission of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Pediatric Hospital. David will be running on behalf of the Friezo Family Support Fund at MSKCC which provides much needed help to families of children undergoing pediatric cancer treatment. The Friezo Family Foundation and the Lydian Advisory Group, of which David is the Managing Partner, has agreed to match the first $100,000 of individual donations.

FRIEZO FAMILY SUPPORT FUND ESTABLISHED AT MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER
David Friezo and his two brothers, Michael and Marc, first became active fundraisers for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in the early 1990s.  As participants in the New York City Marathon, David and Michael ran on Fred's Team, named in honor of Fred Lebow, co-founder of the New York City Marathon. Fred's Team has raised more than $50 million since 1995 for pioneering cancer research at MSK. Inspired by Fred's dedication to fighting cancer, the Friezo family became increasingly involved in supporting MSK's mission and donated $1 million to MSK to establish the Friezo Family Support Fund. This crucial fund helps to defray certain expenses for families with children receiving treatment. The Friezo Family Support Fund is critically important in helping families to cope with the substantial costs associated with pediatric cancer. The Fund provides an opportunity to alleviate economic concerns while children receive outstanding cancer care at MSK. The Fund also helps to cover non-reimbursable costs, including housing modifications, parking, transportation, prosthetic devices, and prescription drugs.