About

Andy, Melissa, Lauren, Alex, and Josh. Where there once were 5, now there are 4. We lost our boy on July 7, 2014, just three and a half weeks before his 9th birthday.

Josh died of an E. coli infection, after eating contaminated grass-fed ground beef. Lauren had just turned 16 and Alex was 5 1/2. Losing Josh absolutely devastated our family and everyone who knew and loved him.

Josh was such a big personality. An old soul. A prankster. A good friend. A curious spirit. A SUPER hugger. A sweet brother. And the strongest person we've ever known.

Josh was strong-minded; stubborn even, and he paid attention to things most kids wouldn't notice. He cared deeply about a number of things that stood out in his mind as unfair.

• HUNGER - He just couldn't wrap his head around anyone not having enough food. Why wouldn't everyone share and take care to make sure everyone had enough.
• HOMELESSNESS - He was moved to tears talking about homelessness whenever he noticed someone living on the streets.
• ANIMAL WELFARE - He would have adopted ALL of the dogs if we let him. And he insisted on helping with stranded dolphins on the Cape during a mass stranding event in the winter of 2012. Shortly before he passed, he completed his training and was excited to start volunteering at New England Wildlife Center.
• THE ENVIRONMENT - Josh was so bothered by the idea that animals were being harmed and the ocean destroyed by pollution. He was happiest exploring outdoors and connecting with nature- hiking, planting in the garden, or enjoying time by the ocean.

We started Joshua Kaye Foundation to do some of the work that Josh would have done. We spread love and kindness in Joshua's memory. Joshua Kaye Foundation enables thoughtful community-based projects focused on inclusion, education, ecology, and the arts, while empowering youth to make positive changes in their community.

We are a 501c3, tax-exempt charity in Massachusetts.