Marcus & The Foundation

Marcus was in 8th grade at Rincon Valley Middle School when he lost his life in a tragic accident on March 16, 2013. He was adored by the staff and student body alike. He loved and cared deeply for his family and friends and was not afraid to show it. Marcus touched so many lives with his beautiful spirit, contagious smile, endearing laugh, and good humor. His sparkling blue eyes lit up the room.  

Marcus never disrespected anyone and was always positive towards others. He spent hours in the gym and at home on the pavement working on his basketball skills. He gave 110% athletically, academically, and in everything he did. 

In an unforgettable assignment, while participating in the NCBA (North Coast Basketball Association), Marcus described himself as kind, determined, competitive, courageous, and hard-working. He had a tremendous work ethic, was creative, very athletic, and had many successes, yet he was extremely humble.

Marcus will be forever remembered for his heart of gold.

It is from Marcus' compassionate nature, in which he often put others before himself, that the Foundation in his name took flight. It began with the story of an athletically talented boy who didn’t try out for the basketball team at Marcus’ school. The boy was in need of new basketball shoes but could not afford them. This really affected Marcus and he told the boy he would have given him his own shoes had he known the reason for not trying out.

After Marcus passed away, we received such overwhelming support from his friends, schools, teams, coaches, and the community that we established The Marcus Johnson Memorial Fund in his honor, at Poppy Bank, 438 First St. Santa Rosa, CA  95401.

WHAT WE DO 
•   Purchase and distribute new basketball shoes and Foundation embroidered socks for local student-athletes and teams
•   Assist with AAU and CYO basketball program scholarships to student-athletes in need
•   Provide an Annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for 3rd grade through 12th grade players to raise money for the Foundation
•   With their coaches and families in attendance, meet with the student-athletes who are receiving new basketball shoes
•   Collaborate with the senior student-athletes at Cardinal Newman High School who are working with the Foundation for their Community-Based Service Learning Project


Since its inception in 2013, the Marcus Johnson Memorial Foundation has provided the following to local student-athletes in need of assistance:

  • Purchased over 700 pairs of new basketball shoes for student-athletes in need of assistance 

  • Provided over 1,000 pairs of MJ-embroidered Nike Elite basketball socks to student-athletes and local teams 

  • Provided 250 pairs of MJ embroidered Nike Elite basketball socks to all of the high school boys and girls who participated in the annual North Bay League vs Sonoma County League All-Star Basketball Game

  • Each year provided scholarships and assistance for CYO basketball and AAU basketball student-athletes

  • September 2015 Valley Fire which caused so many to suffer so much loss, a large portion of the 2015 tournament proceeds were used to purchase 65 pairs of new basketball shoes for Middletown High School Varsity and JV players, as well as Middletown Middle School Seventh and Eighth-grade players

  • October 2017 Santa Rosa fires caused destruction and loss beyond belief.  The Foundation provided new basketball shoes of their choice, slides, MJ Nike Elite basketball socks, and Foundation backpacks to 85 local student-athletes covering 14 schools who lost their homes in the devastating fires

  • The Foundation was happy to bring a little bit of normalcy back in these student-athletes lives, by helping them get back in the gym

 
Thank you to our sponsors, donors, tournament participants, and wonderful volunteers.  We couldn't make a difference in these student-athletes lives without your support.  Thank you all for being a part of keeping Marcus' bright light and giving spirit alive.

 

Additional Foundation information

​Marcus Johnson Memorial Foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  

The Marcus Johnson Memorial Foundation was established in honor of Marcus Johnson.  Marcus was passionate about basketball and basketball shoes! 


MISSION
To provide new basketball shoes to student-athletes in need.

VISION
To keep Marcus’ caring and giving spirit alive by helping others.

MARCUS’ CORE VALUES
Kindness, determination, a commitment to academics, and a strong work ethic on and off the court.

GOALS
•   Continue to expand distribution of new basketball shoes to student-athletes in need
•   Provide assistance with AAU and CYO Scholarships in Sonoma County, California
•   Strengthen our position in Sonoma County as a resource for those less fortunate in the basketball community
•   Collaborate with schools, coaches, and the community to assist student-athletes in the basketball community
•   Engage with local businesses, community members, friends, family, and private donors to grow the Foundation inside and outside of Sonoma County

PURPOSE
To make a difference in student-athletes lives.  To provide proper basketball shoes, socks, and/or fees for CYO and AAU basketball programs.