The Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race was created by a group of friends, spearheaded by Donna Cherry, 19 years ago after Jeff was killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks. The Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation provides assistance to families across Massachusetts who are affected by death, illness or other situations that challenge them emotionally and financially. It also supports military families through assistance and special programs, including a huge holiday festival in December for families of deployed, injured and fallen service members as a result of service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Abington public schools benefit from the foundation through annual grants and scholarships to its high school seniors. The foundation has been recognized for its work by Tuesday's Children, Girl Scout Southeastern Mass Council, Senator Kennedy, Senator Brown, Redbook Magazine and Family Circle (dec. 2011).
