Play It Foreward 518: How Two Brothers' Journey Became a Foundation for Kids

In this episode of Divots & Skins, we sit down with Ryan Trueba, co-founder of Play It Foreward 518, a family foundation based in New York's Capital Region dedicated to supporting local children and families navigating serious illness and hardship. Ryan shares the deeply personal story behind the foundation's origin — inspired by his brother Joe's own health battle and the outpouring of community support that carried their family through it — and how that experience shaped Play It Foreward 518's mission of paying that generosity forward.

We talk about the foundation's annual golf tournament, now entering its 11th year, along with some of the standout initiatives it's helped bring to life: a Make-A-Wish trip to TPC Sawgrass, a long-running partnership with the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, an honorary captain program with Siena College basketball that's now surpassed 100 honorees, and continued support for organizations like Double H Ranch. Ryan also reflects on what it means to build something rooted in family, community, and the belief that even small contributions can make a real difference. It's a heartfelt conversation about turning hardship into purpose — and the power of a community that shows up.