$1M To Notre Dame In Memory Of Late Hinsdale Teen

HINSDALE, IL – A foundation honoring the memory of the Hinsdale boy who was tragically killed in 2023 has given another $1 million to an education program.

The latest donation is going to Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education, or ACE, which helps under-resourced Catholic schools.

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The money is coming from the Love Like Sean Foundation. The nonprofit was formed in honor of 14-year-old Sean Richards, the son of Brian and Kristine Richards.

Sean Richards was tragically killed when a car crashed into him while he was walking on a Hinsdale sidewalk.

The foundation's total contributions amount to more than $7 million.

The other gifts were:

• $1 million to the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois
• $1 million to the Big Shoulders Fund for scholarships
• $2 million for Benet Academy ($1 million for Sean Richards Scholarships and $1 million for a capital campaign)
• $2 million to St. Isaac Jogues' capital campaign
• Several other large gifts for sponsorships of local charities, such as Wellness House

Sean lived as one of Christ's "little ones," according to a Notre Dame statement.

"His laugh was infectious, and his heart was open to everyone he met," the institution said. "His presence was a steady source of joy, whether he was serving as an altar boy, bonding with his Boy Scout troop, or dominating a game of Scrabble with his family."

With the donation to Notre Dame, the family has established the Sean Richards Endowment for Excellence, which will provide the Sean Richards ACE Chaplain.

"By providing pastoral care, retreats, and a steady shoulder to lean on, the Chaplain serves as the teacher for the teachers. Just as Sean was the one to notice the lonely student, this Chaplaincy ensures that no educator – often working far from home in challenging circumstances – ever has to walk their journey alone," Notre Dame said. "For the Richards family, this gift and the program it supports is one of the ways to continue to love their son and brother. It is a testament to a boy who once wrote that we should 'say yes to God in His plan for us, no matter the cost.'"

Both Brian and Kristine Richards have served on boards of Catholic educational institutions.

They have long supported Holy Trinity High School, an inner-city Chicago institution run by Notre Dame's Brothers of the Holy Cross.

Sean's older brother, Conor, is a current ACE teacher.