The first annual Outdoor Social, to benefit the Love from Heaven – Christian Martinisi Memorial Foundation, successfully raised $16,000 last year and helped provide holiday gifts for four families who suffered the loss of a child. Plans for the second annual event, which will take place June 4 at Black Rock Fish and Game Club pavilion, are currently underway.
About 100 guests attended the inaugural event which featured live music, a barbeque, adult beverages, lawn games like Corn Hole, and a fire pit. This year’s event is poised to be similar to the first, but the hope is to offer more activities, so long as the weather cooperates.
“It was just a great night to see friends and bring that spirit of love and togetherness,” Cara Martinisi said. “Christian always loved when there were a lot of people around.
When we were surrounded by family and friends, he just glowed.”
On Aug. 28, 2014, a tragic accident took the life of Cara and Anthony Martinisi’s oldest son just days before he was to start first grade. The family established the Love from Heaven – Christian Martinisi Memorial Foundation to help families who have lost a child unexpectedly.
This past holiday season, 14 children from four families were the recipients of over 70 gifts. An additional 25 care packages have been sent to families and the foundation has now helped families in 33 states. Applications are generally submitted by friends or other family members, but in each instance the recipients have expressed gratitude, knowing others are looking out for them, even if they don’t know the donors personally.
“It’s made such a difference for me,” Martinisi said. “Child loss can be extremely isolating and it can be really devoid of hope. I’m working with a woman, she just reached her one-year anniversary of losing her son. She e-mailed me saying, ‘I don’t know how you do it, how you get up every morning.’”
It’s been seven and a half years since Christian’s accident. He would have been in eighth grade this year.
“There is an eternal connection,” Martinisi said. “I still have a connection with Christian, even if it isn’t the way I wanted it.”
Besides helping grieving families, the foundation has been setting aside money for a scholarship starting in 2026, when Christian would have graduated high school. The annual scholarship will be awarded to two students who best exemplify Christian’s qualities: students who make a difference in their community, help others, and are enthusiastic learners. The amount of the scholarship has not been determined.
Since its inception, the foundation has tried to institute new programs. Martinisi said she’d like to organize retreats for grieving parents.
“I found a lot of healing at a grieving mother’s retreat.”
Tickets for the Outdoor Social are not on sale yet, but more information will be provided on the foundation’s website, lovefromheaven.org, the Love from Heaven Cornwall Facebook Page, and lovefromheavenorg on Instagram.