The idea for The Cinderblock Foundation came to Darren Rhym in the fall of 2003, after the death of his father. Initially, the foundation was to be a single scholarship, a memorial to his father.
During Rhym's junior year in high school, his father, Joe, lost his job, a position he had held for some twenty years. To insure that his son would be able to continue attending Notre Dame High School, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and afford college, Joe Rhym started a new career as a construction laborer. He carried blocks, twelve-inch cinder blocks, so that he could afford to pay his son's tuition costs.
To Darren Rhym, his father, Joe, is remembered not only as a loving father but also as an intellectual mentor who sacrificed so much to insure his son could have access to a good education. To Rhym, education became the key to success. Rhym embraced his father's humility and selflessness and hopes that the Cinderblock Foundation becomes an institution synonymous with service and sacrifice. There is no greater gift to the community than for one to put its needs ahead of his or her own.
Thus, the Cinderblock is our symbol of strength, sacrifice, and commitment. |
