about us

In 2017, we launched The Berra Family Charitable Foundation to formalize our family giving in accord with our shared beliefs and values. The Berra Family Charitable Foundation promotes a philanthropic vision by funding programs and services that benefit children, education, health, military, animals, and other societal needs that reflect our personal charitable interests.

For several years, Beth and Phil discussed starting their own family foundation. The loss of their son Lee Berra precipitated the establishment of the Foundation. Lee was a kind, giving, and humble young man who touched many people’s lives. The Berra Family Charitable Foundation is a way for our family to give back to our community and honor our son, husband, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle.

Lee Michael Berra was born in St. Louis on March 7, 1984 and passed away in an airplane crash on January 25, 2017 at the age of 32. Lee attended Our Lady of the Pillar grade school, graduated from St. Louis University High in 2002, and in 2006, he graduated from the University of Southern California and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. In 2016, Major Lee Berra became a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base. During his decade in the military, he flew 2,599 military flight hours in 30 different aircraft with 2,270 in the supersonic B-1 Lancer and was deployed to the Middle East three times. Major Lee Berra was also a licensed commercial pilot.

The Berra Family Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation registered with the IRS, EIN 81-5371972.