The Riley Howell Foundation Fund Supports Gun Violence Victims
Sofia DiStefano Apr 27, 2024
In honor of Riley Howell, the Howell family created the Riley Howell Foundation Fund (RHFF) in 2020 to raise awareness and help those affected by gun violence. The RHFF hosts fundraising events every year in memory of Riley. Their main event is the Mighty Four Miler Run.
The RHFF was created to help make a difference in the lives of those affected by gun violence.
“We put together the Riley Howell Foundation Fund to help make a difference in the lives of individuals who are victims and survivors of gun violence and in hopes that we can help those who suffer from gun violence and are fractured and impacted by trauma or loss, just like our family,” said Iris Howell, Riley’s younger sister. “The foundation doesn’t fix the tragic reality that my family lives every day by any means. But I think it’s the most meaningful way for us to transform our grief and help victims and survivors of gun violence in Riley’s memory and honor.”
On April 30, 2019, a gunman opened fire in the Kennedy Building. Howell died from his injuries along with his fellow student, Ellis Reed Parlier. Howell was 21 years old, and Parlier was 19.
Riley’s display of bravery that day impacted not only his family and close friends but also the students of Charlotte and the community as a whole.
“Our lives were turned upside down that day he was killed, as I’m sure you all can imagine. My family was and is forever changed. In the wake of our loss, we chose to channel our grief and sorrow into activism,” said Iris.
The Howells play an active role in the operations of the RHFF. The foundation fund is managed and run by their advisory board, whose president is Natalie Henry-Howell, Riley and Iris’ mother. The rest of the board consists of close friends, and with their combined efforts, they host numerous events throughout the year, such as the Might Four Miler.
Iris is not yet on the board but currently handles much of the communications and social media work for the foundation fund. The other Howell siblings, Juliet and Teddy, also support the foundation fund.
Helping today’s victims
The RHFF’s long-term goal is to donate funds to organizations that help those who suffered from traumatic events such as gun violence. The funding helps cover immediate needs such as grief counseling, funeral expenses and costs related to missed work.
“The biggest impact we can make is working with organizations that help victims today, not tomorrow. Our fund benefits organizations that provide support to victims of gun violence and help them meet their immediate needs,” says the RHFF mission statement on their website.
The foundation fund supports Outward Bound, which has a grieving teen program, in addition to local counseling. The RHFF also supports UNC Charlotte’s Ellis Reed Parlier Scholarship Fund in honor of Reed.
Each year, the foundation fund provides donations to different organizations.
“As president of RHFF, I, along with the other four RHFF Board members and with the expertise of our Donor Relations Officer at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), determine what organizations that benefit victims and survivors of gun violence, we fund with quarterly, annual or single grants,” said Natalie.
In 2023, the foundation fund gave $22,500 to three different groups. The Spartan Strong Fund of Michigan State University in support of those affected by the Feb. 13, 2023 campus shooting, The Onsite Foundation to help fund their Triumph over Tragedy program and the Newton Action Alliance Foundation to partner with them for the ninth annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.
In 2022, the RHFF gave $55,000 to four different groups: The Onsite Foundation, the Community Foundation of Texas Hill County in support of the Uvalde Strong Fund, Survivors Empowered, which Sandy and Lonnie Phillips created in honor of their daughter, Jessica and the 11 other victims of the Aurora Colorado Theater mass shooting in 2012, the Newton Action Alliance Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Los Angelos for the National Center of Crisis and Bereavement.
In 2021, the foundation fund gave $40,500 to five different groups, including The Onsite Foundation, the Newton Action Alliance Foundation, The Rebels Project, the UNC Charlotte Foundation to fund the Ellis Reed Parlier Scholarship fund and Conserving Carolina.
In 2020, the foundation fund gave $15,000 to four different groups, including The UNC Charlotte Foundation, Outward Bound, All Souls Counseling Center and the Gun Violence Survivors Foundation, towards their emergency fund for gun violence survivors.
In 2019, the foundation fund gave $6,000 to two different groups. The UNC Charlotte Foundation and the STEM School Highlands Ranch to fund traumatic grief counseling.
The RHFF also recently introduced its new storefront, which sells hats, shirts and mugs.
The Mighty Four Miler Run
The RHFF’s main annual fundraiser is the Mighty Four Miler Run, a road race that takes place in Howell’s hometown of Waynesville, North Carolina. The Glory Hound Events organization presents the run.
“Our goal is to help people suffering the way we have. But the race itself is a huge event for our family; it’s a day flooded with emotions. Each race day, I’m surrounded by just enormous sorrow of loss. I miss my big brother every day. But it’s also a day surrounded by the love and support of our community around us,” said Iris.
The RHFF hosted its fourth annual Mighty Four Miler this year on April 6.
“The turnout for the Mighty Four Miler was 215 participants with 35 of those being virtual sign ups. In the four years we have had the race, we have averaged 208 participants, many whom are family, friends and members of our local community,” said Natalie Henry-Howell, Riley’s mother.
The Mighty Four-Miler has an in-person and virtual race option so supporters can participate despite time or travel constraints.
“I would say the combination of our in-person [run] and then our virtual run ensures that foundation supporters can help victims of gun violence from near or from far. I think that’s really important to us is trying to have our outreach go as far as it possibly can with that,” said Iris.
The foundation fund works closely with the local Moms Demand Action group for gun safety in America. The local mom group participates in the run and also helps connect racers to resources that help fight for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence.
“Race day fills me with the pride of upholding Riley’s legacy and with the hope of differences, we can make down the road for gun violence victims. It’s not easy, but I have learned to hold space for each emotion in my heart,” said Iris.
The group also held an Advocacy Day in Raleigh on Thursday, April 25, where volunteers urged lawmakers to support common-sense gun safety laws.
Honoring Riley and his passions
The RHFF chose to dedicate the Mighty Four Miler in memory of Riley because of the bond he and Iris had through running.
“I think that’s why we chose to instigate a run in his honor. So it would just feel right to do that in his honor as a fundraiser, and I think a lot of it, too, is just because he hated running so much, and then he really came around to liking it,” said Iris.
Growing up, Riley played goalkeeper for his high school team. Iris convinced him to run cross-country with her.
“I think it was really special to me when he decided he would run cross country with me, and I convinced his girlfriend Lauren to do it as well. It was so fun the three of us would drive to cross-country practice and track practice. And it was just really nice to have them with me, their senior year. He ended up really liking running. He made really good friends on the cross-country team.”
Natalie described her son as fun-loving and strong who had an array of interests and hobbies.
“He liked to work and play outdoors; he liked to read, do puzzles, play video games, and cook hearty meals. He had a way of making people feel seen and a built-in sense of protection for others,” said Natalie. “His brain was full of zany facts and colorful trivia on the most random of subjects. His sense of wonder and curiosity he carried with him into young adulthood, and he had an array of interests from the Star Wars canon to physical fitness to car engines and so much in between. He was a gentle man and a gentleman and centered us with his good energy and infectious laugh.”
While Iris will never forget what happened to her older brother, she chooses to try to see Riley around her every day and use it as strength.
“Losing a sibling, a family member tragically, is not something that I’m ever going to be able to move on from. My best friend, my big brother, is no longer with me,” said Iris. “But what we can do is move forward. And I think what helps is trying to find his light every day, trying to find the places in my life where I get to see Riley’s presence and spirit around me day to day.”
In the wake of Riley’s loss, the Howell family tries to spend as much time together as possible and honor Riley by doing things he loves.
“I miss him every day. But as time passes, I think it only gets more important for us to emphasize that no matter how much time goes on since we’ve lost Riley, he’s always with us in our hearts. My family and I try to keep this in mind while spending time together and doing things that Riley loved,” said Iris.
Riley’s memory is honored in many ways. The RHFF upholds the motto “Fear Less, Do More,” which represents how Riley lived his life.
“I think that really embodies the way that he would put his mind to something. It doesn’t matter how much he didn’t want to or how much he feared what was coming. He was gonna get it done, you know? He was just a great big brother and I try to find ways I can carry him with me every day,” said Iris.
Natalie believes that people and students can remember and honor Riley by being resolute in advocating for the end of gun violence.
“On Remembrance Day, walk out the door with love and with altruism — make it a point to show up for others in a giving, meaningful and thoughtful way. Do an act of generosity and kindness however you can, with intention and purpose, for the victims and students in that Kennedy Hall classroom in the mind. Take action in support of gun safety or gun safety legislation like secure gun storage, or writing to your legislator, reach out to someone struggling with a hardship or let someone know you care about them. Be human and be real,” said Natalie.