In August of 2008, the Riverwards community lost a beloved member. Matthew Holmes, affectionately known as Matty, was only 22 when he was killed in an accident at a steel company, where he had just started working as an apprentice for the iron-workers union. A graduate of Nativity B.V.M. and North Catholic, the Port Richmond native was a beloved friend, neighbor, brother, and son whose untimely death shook the community. The number of lives he’d touched was evidenced by the incredible turnout for his funeral at Nativity B.V.M. church.

However, his family and friends weren’t willing to let the memory of Matt end with that. In the first year after his passing, his close friends Mallory Gorham, Patrick Gorham, and Kevin Penko held a fundraiser to help his family. The community turnout was incredible. “It was so successful that we decided to start a scholarship fund,” said Mallory.

These three friends now constitute the board of the scholarship foundation. “This year will be our fourth fundraiser event, and our third year of giving out the scholarship,” Mallory said.

Matt’s mother, Francine, said, “I’m very proud of all the planning and work the scholarship committee does.” His father, Denis, concurred, “We just think it’s awesome what his friends came together to do, to keep Matt’s name alive.” Every spring, The Matthew Holmes Scholarship Fund assists deserving 8th grade students who will be entering their first year of Catholic high school in the fall. Known for his great character and constant desire to help others, a memorial scholarship was the perfect way to honor Matt Holmes.

Matt’s brother Denny recalled, “He was the hardest worker that I ever knew. He’d do anything for anybody, and his friends and family always came first. He loved the neighborhood—we couldn’t get him out of it. He might go visit somewhere else on a Friday night, but he’d always be back the next day.” To this day, when Denny goes around the neighborhood putting up fliers about the benefit, he gets reactions from community members who remember Matt as a great person. Matt’s father Denis has similar experiences—after four years, he still has people come up to him at work and say, “I went to school with your son. He was a great guy.”

Francine has also seen the support throughout the Riverwards. “I feel honored when I see people and kids wearing Matt’s t-shirts and sweatshirts, and when I see his fliers around the neighborhood.”

Patrick concurs that Matt was a big influence in the community. “He was a neighborhood guy—went to North Catholic, worked at Primo Hoagies, played soccer in the neighborhood. Matt was a really cool young guy, and had a ton of friends.”Mallory, too, attests to Matt’s wonderful character. “I went all through grade school with him, and remained good friends with him throughout high school, when he went to an all-boys school and I went to an all-girls school. We went to each other’s senior proms.” It only made sense that his closest friends, along with his family, would memorialize him in a way that gives back to the community. “He had a lot of friends who wanted a part in keeping his name alive,” said Mallory.

Matt’s sister Cheryl said, “Matt was a great person who always gave back to the community, so we felt that we needed to give back to the community in his memory, after he passed.” Starting a scholarship fund gave them a way to do so. “He went to Catholic grade and high school, and even went to Catholic college for a year.”

Giving the scholarship to prospective Catholic school students affords young people the opportunity to learn the values that were so important to Matt.

The annual scholarship is given strictly to Philadelphia students. Applicants must provide a report card that reflects good grades, letters of recommendation from at least two teachers, and most importantly, a 250-word essay. “They’re judged mainly on the essay,” said Mallory. The topics include the student’s thoughts on Catholic school education, the community, or an influential figure in their life. “We black out the names and read it with no idea who the students are, judge them on that and go from there.”

Denny said, “With tuition so expensive, it’s great to be able to help the kids in the neighborhood. Of course, we’d always like to do more, but we do as much as we can. Mallory, Patrick, and Kevin are great—they take time out of their schedules to do this job, to make the scholarship run.” Denis agreed, “We can’t thank them enough for what they do.”

Mallory went on, “We always end up giving the scholarships to kids who are very grateful. I know it’s a huge help. They get to go to Catholic school when they thought they couldn’t.” With five $2,000 scholarships awarded each year so far, they are making a difference to a lot of local students. They have received between 100 and 200 yearly applications in the past. “It’s overwhelming at times,” said Denny, “but it keeps me going, to be moving forward and doing this in Matt’s memory.”

Francine added, “I’m glad to see that young people are able to succeed by winning scholarships. It inspires me.”

It’s at the annual fundraiser that the scholarships are awarded, and money is raised for the following year. “We send the scholarship recipients tickets to the fundraiser, and bring them up on stage to award them,” said Mallory. “The fundraiser means that the scholarship can continue. We always have a big turnout, and we’re hoping for that again this year. It’s been good so far.” Denny added, “The support from the neighborhood has been overwhelming—hundreds of people turn out.”

Francine said, “I’m amazed by the response of Matt’s friends and the community, and how they all chip in at the benefit. It fills a little bit of the void that’s missing in my heart, to see how Matt was well-liked in the community.” Denis agreed, “It’s nice that they do this for Matthew. The support is incredible, and the recipients are so grateful, because of the cost of tuition. You can really tell they’re going to do something with themselves.”

“The outpouring of support since he’s passed has been amazing—to see how many people are interested in helping,” said Cheryl. “The families of the scholarship winners come with their children, and they always come up to us and thank us. They are truly grateful.”

Francine said, “I consider Matt’s benefit a special gift for continuing education. It’s a positive event for me to move forward without Matt, as it is a positive event for children’s tuition.” She went on, “It just seems to get better and better every year, seeing how young people want to get involved.” Cheryl added,

“I’m really proud of how well the scholarship’s going, how it’s benefiting students. I’m sure Matt would be proud too.”

This year’s scholarship applications have been received, and the scholarship board is in the process of choosing recipients. They will be awarded at the fourth annual “St. Patty’s for Matty” beef & beer fundraiser on Saturday, March 16 at the Polish Eagle Sports Club, 3157 Thompson St. This will be a great night out for giving and celebration. It’s the donations and proceeds from this fundraiser that keep the scholarship going in Matt’s memory, year after year—all contributions are greatly appreciated. The scholarship fund would like to have all donations in by March 13, to better prepare for the benefit. To purchase tickets or make a donation, contact Mallory Gorham at 267.970.3304, Patrick Gorham at 215.718.7726, or Kevin Penko at 215.280.2806. For more information visit http://mattyholmesscholarship.org/.