Hunter’s Stories

“Changing Young People’s Lives” by Madeleine Bunbury

I knew Hunter Watson all my life. We were friends as children, always playing games in the pool. We also played a lot of tennis and Hunter always beat me. I remember one year, as teenagers, we stayed up all night on New Year’s Eve to watch the sunrise from Macaroni beach.We got into big trouble from our parents, but it was worth it!

When I learned of his death it felt like my heart broke. I knew the world had just lost a truly special person. Hunter was always interested in every person he met. He bent over backwards to make people feel welcome. He brought people together—through music, conversation and laughter.

So, now, it is fitting that he is continuing to bring so many of us together around a common purpose—the Hunter Watson Memorial Fund. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve on the Fund’s Founders Committee. I also provide mentoring and support to some of the grantees from Saint Vincent, including Dumona, whose dream is to be an entrepreneur and a doctor and Rishi, who received a grant to pursue his pilot’s license.

To all the donors who have supported the Fund, please know this: The young people you are investing in are amazing and they are deeply grateful. Without you, they would have big dreams, but would likely never have the resources to reach for those dreams. Through your donations, you are changing lives and investing in the promise of tomorrow.

I will always regret that I cannot watch another sunrise with Hunter. But he is with me in my heart and I know he is really proud of what you and I are doing to invest in the energy and passion of young people.

- Madeleine Bunbury