The Harrington Family Foundation believes every child has a right to receive a quality education and proper health care in a safe and nurturing community.  Its mission is to support, through financial contributions, non-profit organizations within the State of Oregon that share this vision. Recognizing the benefit of working with community partners to achieve its goals, the foundation seeks out respected organizations, businesses, and individuals who are dedicated to the belief that improving the quality of life for children today is an investment in the well-being of society tomorrow.

Working together to serve the community has long been a part of the Harrington family tradition. Beginning with holiday volunteering for Meals on Wheels and St. Vincent de Paul when the boys were growing up in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, the family has always looked for ways to make a difference – inspired by Joey’s grandparents, “to do well by doing good”.

Brothers Joey, Michael and Nick have much in common. They attended the same Catholic grade and high schools, received leadership and scholar athlete awards, and earned a college scholarship. Despite the demands of athletics, they also found time to be active in their church and school community.

John, a retired high school principal who was selected Oregon High School Principal of the Year in 2000 and was a finalist for National Principal of the Year, shared his love of athletics by volunteering as head football and basketball coach with the Catholic Youth Organization for 10 years. He has coached all three sons and now oversees the activities of the Harrington Family Foundation. In July 2008 John came out of retirement to be the president of Central Catholic High School where he currently works full time.

For Valerie, the foundation is an extension of what she has always done. In addition to running her own architectural practice from home for 30 years and raising three boys, she has served on numerous boards and committees in the church and school community. Retired now, she divides her time between volunteering, overseeing the operations of the foundation and spending time with her grandson.

Joey married Emily Hatten in March of 2007. Emily is also a graduate of Central Catholic High School as well as University of Portland. She received her masters in the science of nursing in 2006 and is formally trained as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Joey and Emily welcomed their first child, Jack, into the world on April 20th, 2009. With help of the Harrington Family Foundation, Joey and Emily together hope to address the growing health care needs of their community with future philanthropic pursuits.

Whether on or off the football field, former NFL quarterback Joey Harrington believes that leadership, hard work and a positive attitude can make a big difference in life. “I played football because I love the game,” he says. “It now allows me to make a difference in the communities that have been so supportive of me and my family.”

Before turning professional, Joey honed his quarterback skills as a three-year starter for the University of Oregon Ducks, leading them to a #2 national ranking his senior season and earning his place as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Hard work, he says, has been the major ingredient of his success: “I am not the fastest or strongest guy out on the field, but I worked harder than the guys across from me.”

Today, Joey and his family want to use that same work ethic to make a difference for kids in need. “My grandparents taught us that in order to do well in life we must do good, and this has always been a guiding principle for our family. The foundation offers us the perfect opportunity to give back.”