Colleen E. Ritzer: Her Legacy

"Sending love to those grieving an empty chair at their Thanksgiving table, to those separated from family, to those all alone this Thanksgiving."

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Be mindful of those who are missing their loved ones today. Be thankful for your family and friends. The holidays can be difficult for many people, please be kind always

A beautiful tribute to a beloved teacher .

Colleen E. Ritzer Library Dedication At Danvers High School Approved The School Committee approved the recommendation to honor the teacher's legacy of kindness on the 10th anniversary of her death.

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." Mother Teresa

10 years ago today we said goodbye to this beautiful smile. You can help carry Colleen's legacy on by simply sharing a smile. Be kind always

Our family would like to thank everyone who participated in and took a moment to remember Colleen's life and help us carry on her legacy of kindness

Ten years ago today, the world lost a caring, energetic and passionate young woman. As we continue to mourn the loss of this extraordinary daughter, sister, friend, and teacher, we also look to honor who she was - a positive and kind individual. Today, we remember Colleen’s life and honor her legacy of kindness and passion for teaching by being the good in someone's day. Thank you for helping to carry on Colleen's legacy of kindness

Learn more about Colleen from those who knew and loved her the most. Watch the documentary below, Love, Colleen, to learn more about Colleen from those who love her

Love, Colleen With the help of interviews from her family, friends and students, "Love, Colleen" demonstrates the life and legacy of Colleen Ritzer and her impact as a tea...

"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change."

Please help us make sure Colleen will not be forgotten. To honor and celebrate her life and the values she lived by please perform acts of kindness in her memory Sunday, October 22nd, and the days surrounding it. To print kindness coupons please visit https://colleenritzer.org/initiatives/kindness-for-colleen/. Share acts of kindness on social media

Sunday will mark 10 years since Colleen's life was so tragically taken. Colleen was a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, and a beloved teacher. Please honor her life and legacy by joining her friends, family, and community in by performing random acts of kindness now through Sunday, October 22, and sharing your acts on social media using . Sometimes it is the simplest acts that make the biggest difference. Be the good in someone's day. Be kind always

Ten years ago, just 17 days before that tragic day, Colleen tweeted these words to her students having no idea the impact these words would have on so many, including those who love her and those who never met her, and words that would define her legacy. Finding the good in every day can be a challenge for many of us, as we continue to feel Colleen’s loss more each day. But her message reminds us that if we look hard enough and have hope, we can find something, no matter how small, that brings some good and light into the darkest of days – especially those moments when we are reminded of the positive, life-changing impact Colleen had on so many. May her message remind us all of Colleen’s goodness and inspire each of us to not only find the good but be the good for someone else, each and every day ❤

Although we choose to remember Colleen for how she lived and not how she died, it is important today, on National Day for Remembrance for Murder Victims, that we take a moment to remember how she died and remember that we must continue to advocate for her and all victims of violence. We must continue to be their voices every day and hold those who commit these violent crimes accountable. Colleen you are missed every day

Never forget the lives lost and the families left behind who live in their light every day. Remember those in uniform who ran toward the towers instead of away. Remember those who have since put on a uniform to fight for the safety and freedom of our country. Thinking of all those who lost a loved one on that day. We will never forget

❗️IMPORTANT UPDATE❗ Due to the impact of yesterday's storm and the power outages in Andover, the Pink Golf Ball Drop has been RESCHEDULED to next Sunday, Sept. 17.

A fun new way to support Colleen's legacy! On Sunday,, Sept 10, we will be dropping up to 1,000 golf balls from a helicopter at Sarkisian Driving Range in Andover and the ball that goes into the hole will win up to $5,000! For all of the details and to purchase your pink golf balls ($20 each or 3 for $50) please visit https://stepupforcolleen.square.site/. You don't need to be present to win!
*Must be 18 years or older and a U.S. citizen to enter. A maximum of 1,000 golf balls will be sold. If more than one ball goes in the hole, the winners will split the prize. For full terms please visit https://stepupforcolleen.square.site/.

10 years, 100 recipients, 41 Colleges in 13 States, $513,000 in grants...all carrying on Colleen's legacy of kindness to future generations!

"Pink: the color of universal love of oneself and of others. Pink represents friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace, and approachability. It is most often associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, tenderness, sweetness and romance.”

And most importantly - a reminder of Colleen’s kindness. Today is National Pink Day! A great day to pull on one of your pink shirts and do something kind. Remember “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little bit of pink.” Think pink today and every day 🌸

“Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad”

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Especially keeping in our hearts those that are missing a child on this day and those who’s Dad is no longer with them 💗

Congratulations to the Andover High School Class of 2023 as they graduate tonight, the Danvers High School Class of 2023 who will graduate on Saturday, and all 2023 high school graduates! Best of luck in your future, and may the life lessons you learned and the friendships that were created continue into the next chapter of your lives!

Today we remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We also remember those we have loved and lost and those who lost their lives trying to make this world a better place for others

Happy 34th birthday, Colleen! This world is a better place because you were in it. You continue to inspire so many to spread kindness 💗

Colleen shared her smile with the world from a very young age. Tomorrow, May 13th, will be her 34th birthday. Although we deeply miss her, she would want us to celebrate her, as she loved birthdays! In honor of this special day, we ask that you be the reason someone smiles. Imagine what a beautiful day May 13th will be if everyone shares a smile. Happy birthday, Colleen!

"There are no words for the grieving families at this time, but it is this love and support of good people that will help them carry on, when they are ready." Colleen 4.15.13

Today we remember all those whose lives were forever changed the day of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Hard to believe it has been 10 years. We are and always will be Boston Strong. We are all stronger together. Be kind always ❤️

"May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may road" Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Pi Day! A math teacher like Colleen loved Pi Day, she always incorporated something fun into her lesson that day. In honor of her love for Pi Day, registration for the Step Up for Colleen 5K is $25, through midnight tonight! It will increase to $35 tomorrow, March 15th. Register today, either to participate in person or virtually, to be part of this amazing event that honors Colleen's life and legacy. Register at http://bit.ly/StepUpCR23.

Think pink, not snow! Invite those you love, family and friends, to join you in stepping up for Colleen! In honor of Colleen's love of math, register by 11:59 p.m. on Pi Day (3.14.23) to save $10 on your registration fee. Registration increases to $35 on March 15th. Not local but want to participate, register as a virtual participant and receive a shirt. The first 3,000 race registrants will receive a 10th Annual Step Up for Colleen 5K long-sleeve shirt, so be sure to register early! Register today at http://bit.ly/StepUpCR23.

“Love who you love, with all that you have..... Love who you love, and say that you do"

Colleen's words are always a good reminder to tell and show your loved ones how you feel about them, not only today but each and every day. We love and miss you, Colleen. Happy Valentine's Day!
www.colleenritzer.org

"But when remembering her life, the message is clear. She was good to people, she taught with inspiration, and that was her legacy. And that is a gift Colleen Ritzer leaves her students, her loved ones and her community."

Wishing you a New Year filled with peace, love and hope ❤

A great way to find the good in every day. Colleen did this in 2013, each day she wrote on scrap paper, one good thing from that day, and put it in her jar (pic on the right). It could be as simple as no traffic that day, a special night out with friends, or something positive that happened in her classroom. In the darkest of days, if we take a moment to look, we can often find one good thing in the day. It is a great way to challenge yourself to find at least one good thing in every day.

Hoping your Christmas day is filled with the love of family and friends. Look to the light for hope for 2023. Thinking of all those with an empty seat at their table, that can never be replaced. Merry Christmas 🎄

During the holiday season, we remember Colleen during her favorite time of year. She loved the music, decorations, and most of all gathering with her family and friends. We also take this time to thank you for your generous support of the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund and her legacy. Thanks to you, Colleen's impact in the classroom will carry on for many years to come. We wish you and your family the very best of holidays and a New Year full of peace, love and hope.

Read the full message: conta.cc/3GahYLn

"Think of me, think of light, I'll always be here, day or night"
If you know someone who is missing a loved one this Christmas, be the light to help them through. Share memories of the one lost and say their name. Saying their name and sharing memories reminds them that you have not forgotten their loved one and that is truly the best gift you can give them that will warm their heart.

Today we remember the twenty children and six educators lost nine years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Thoughts and prayers with their loved ones who live with their loss every day and with all those that were at the school that day and live with the sadness and horror of remembering that day. Our family shares their tears, their sorrow, and their hope that the future will bring school safety to the forefront, and that changes will be made to protect our children and their teachers so that no more families have to suffer at the hands of such senseless, violent acts.

As Colleen shared, "Thinking of those families who face this bright morning without a child......Love who you love with all that you have."

Christmas was Colleen's favorite time of year so we once again brought a little Christmas to her bench in the park. Every tree looks better with a bit of pink! If you are in Andover, stop by the park on Bartlet Street and check out the trees. Feel free to place an ornament on the tree. We will keep all the ornaments and put them on the trees again next year - many on this year's trees are ones that were placed on the tree last year by those who visited. It's a great place to visit and to take a Christmas picture. Share your pictures using 🎄

If you would like to send an ornament for us to place on the tree for you, it can be sent to: Colleen R. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc., 5 Dascomb Rd., Andover, MA 01810