The Harrison Boonstoppel Foundation
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Our Mission &
Vision
Founded in memory of Harrison Boonstoppel following his tragic loss to gun violence in 2023, the Harrison Boonstoppel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to fostering a safer, more compassionate world. We empower youth and support those in need through community-driven events, educational outreach, and direct charitable giving—transforming grief into purposeful action and enduring kindness.
The Story of Harrison
From the very beginning, my son Harrison showed us what it meant to meet the world with courage and kindness.
He and his twin sister, Ava, arrived early in June 2003, welcomed with love by me, my husband Karel, their big brother Nicholas, and our family & friends.
The stories of Harrison growing up with his close to death experience in the NICU for almost a month, another month in St. Josephs with a batterie of tests and possibilities that were all X-ed out with the courage of a miniature marathon athlete.
5 years of multiple therapies a week, a special program for a month to teach him how to eat and keep it down which is done with only positivity and patience by a tag team of people to stay calm for the year process of transformation. This amazing program at All Children’s hospital in St. Petersburg was the start for Harrison.
Leg braces to help him walk, therapies for his delay in speech, emotion and normal parts of development all contained in this tiny body with the devilish smile. He moved past the serious crying, throwing up and living through a feeding tube for the first three years of his life and all with joy, positivity and determination.
During this time, we found out that Harrison was severe to profound deaf in both ears… another part of his marathon with two years of hearing aids at age three and a cochlear implant at the age of five. The ELP program at Roosevelt offered the best coaches available!
There are so many people that had a profound effect on his life and our family all the way through his high school graduation and beyond. Most went way over their job description and that is due to the wonder of Harrison Boonstoppel and the beautiful hearts that were a blessing to my family and many more. These giving hearts are the best of humanity and they continue to help through kindness. This is the same for Harrison’s legacy…a caring friend to all, the enthusiast leading the race with humor and embracing smile that was always on his face.
UNSTOPPABLE – ENERGETIC – HONEST - CARING
Harrison's life was a beautiful shooting star passing through in a few short years. He crammed more adventure, more energy, more experience into every day than most of us manage in a lifetime, and he had a smile that melted hearts.
He could be quiet, even shy, in new situations. But once he felt at ease, the flood gates opened, and his exuberant love for people and adventure showed itself as wide as that smile. His own struggles gave him an amazing capacity for empathy, a quality that drew people to him and made others feel less alone on their own.
He lived at full speed.
Camping, hiking, fishing with friends. Skateboarding, biking. When he was old enough to drive, he picked out a bright blue Subaru he absolutely loved. He was laughter and love for everyone who knew him.
On October 29, 2023, Harrison made a last-minute decision to join friends in Ybor City for the Halloween event to see thousands of people in costume.
He was there only 10 minutes.
Walking up 7th Avenue and back to the garage, doing nothing but standing in the crowded streets, my son was shot and killed in seconds by a 14-year-old with a stolen gun. Eighteen people were shot that night. Everyone there, and everyone who loved them, had their lives changed forever.
That moment took my bright, beautiful son.
It also gave his life a legacy he unknowingly started long before that night.
This foundation's mission is based on my son's loss and one sole principle.
"Let Kindness Win"
— Brucie Boonstoppel, Harrison's Mom