Our History

 

The roots of The Hero’s Cup Foundation began March 16, 2016 as a single hockey game—The Firefighter Faceoff—between the Sudbury Fire and Framingham Fire departments created to raise funds for Sudbury firefighter Mike Matros’ Boston Marathon run benefitting the Last Call Foundation, Inc.

 

The event was so well received by local fire departments and the military, that,

immediately afterwards, an annual hockey tournament was born. A group of

volunteers formed an event committee and worked to build a tournament that

championed and supported firefighters, police and the military, once again

supporting the Last Call Foundation, Inc. 

 

The First Annual Hero’s Cup was launched April 21-23, 2017, and had 56 teams

participating. The event included a three-day tournament, casino night, concert

and a cooking competition and generated $179,902 for 50 different charities.

The endeavor’s great success and the tournament’s logistics and scope made

it clear that a foundation geared specifically for The Hero’s Cup was in order.

On May 5, 2017, The Hero’s Cup Foundation was launched, and that group of

dedicated volunteers became board members, with founders

Mike and Caiti Matros at the helm.

 

Shortly thereafter, The Hero’s Cup Foundation partnered with the Boston Bruins

to bring its annual event to new heights, and do more for the first responder

community. To reflect the new partnership, the 2nd annual Hero’s Cup was

rebranded, and became known as the BFit Heroes Cup.

 

A successful 2nd Annual BFit Heroes Cup was held April 20-22, 2018, at the New England Sports Center with 78 teams competing. The festivities included opening ceremonies, a Bruins Watch Party, a cook-off and eight different championship presentations, and raised $286,846 for 52 different charities. 

 

 

 

With its second tournament under its belt, the Hero’s Cup Foundation signed a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins Foundation, securing the commitment of both groups to the tournament’s success and heightening the impact of aid for firefighters, police, the military and EMS. At this time, the Hero’s Cup Foundation further honed its mission, defining three main areas of import and impact for the community it serves: occupational cancer detection and prevention, mental health and line of duty death support. 

 

Year three continued the winning trajectory, and brought 102 teams to the BFit Heroes Cup, April 12-14, 2019, and expanded events, including a Disabled Veteran’s Game and a Tailgating Competition. The tournament raised over $415,00 for 80 different charities, and other organizations, like the Tampa Bay Lightning and DraftKings, took notice and have since partnered with The Hero’s Cup Foundation to bring additional exposure and events to the cause. 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, The Hero’s Cup Foundation is committed to expanding and exploring national partnerships and events that go beyond the sport of hockey or a multi-day tournament to serve first responders and their families to the best of its ability. While the annual BFit Heroes Cup remains the driving force of The Hero’s Cup Foundation, the board hosted its first annual Boston Harbor cruise June 6, and has planned its 1st annual golf tournament August 20, 2019 at the Marlborough Country Club. Unlike the annual hockey tournament, the golf outing is open to those outside of the first responder community in an effort to expand the organization’s fundraising goals and the reach of its impact.