16 October, 2019
The Lauren Anderson Field Restoration Project has hit its fundraising goal. Thanks to the efforts of Lauren’s family, classmates and teammates, town residents, the school district and community organizations, the project has raised more than $30,000 in donations and in-kind services since it was launched on August 1.
“Hopkinton has always been a small town with a big heart,” said Kathy Kilduff, team leader. “It has been inspiring to see how many people remember Lauren and are willing to support this project.”
The grassroots project will restore the Lauren Anderson Field at Hopkinton High School in memory of Lauren Anderson, a former student and athlete, who died in a tragic horseback riding accident in November 1994. Donations will be used to refurbish the softball field’s scoreboard and add a set of bleachers, two dugouts with benches and bat racks, dugout and outfield windscreens and fence toppers.
Work on the Lauren Anderson Field has already begun. Rich Yurewicz of American Climbers and his crew completed extensive tree work this month. The implementation team, led by HHS graduate Ryan Fowler, will soon build the dugouts, weather permitting. Additional work will take place in spring 2020, in preparation for a May field rededication event.
Information about the rededication will be available prior to the 2020 event.
Riki Anderson Rubin and her family are excited about the project. “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped make this project such a success,“ said Riki. “I wish I had words to express our thanks to each and every one of them, but there are no words that clearly express how truly grateful we feel. The thought that after 25 years Lauren would still be remembered by so many people leaves us speechless.”
“Now Lauren’s legacy, her sparkle, will live on for years to come,” added Kilduff.
