It is every parent’s dream, especially a mother’s, to see their child grow from infant to toddler and eventually become a young adult. It is a proud moment to then see that child walk across the stage to receive their high school diploma and continue on to college in pursuit of their degree. I was that mother living the dream until the fateful night my daughter Jessica’s life was tragically taken at 19, as she was getting ready to leave for her sophomore year in college. This tragedy changed my life in a way no parent ever wants to imagine, but through my pain and grief, I felt I had to do something that would be representative of Jessica’s spirit of giving and caring about others. In her memory, The Jessica N. Santos Foundation (a not-for-profit 501C3) was founded to provide scholarships and enable students to fulfill Jessica’s unfinished goal of higher education. Through these scholarships her memory and legacy lives on.
For the third consecutive year, it was an honor and a pleasure to present two scholarships at Sleepy Hollow High School on behalf of The Jessica N. Santos Foundation and its supporters. This year’s recipients were two deserving graduating seniors — Diana Morales and Tauress Campbell who will be going to college in the Fall. Both girls were very grateful to receive the award and we hope to increase the number of scholarships we give out. In order to continue to provide scholarships to promising students, the Foundation hosts an annual fundraiser in July around the time of Jessica’s birthday. We also reach out to the community and area businesses for donations and sponsorship. In today’s economy, it has been a difficult task, but God always provides and opens doors for us to continue our mission for the good of mankind. We are extremely grateful and thankful for all who have contributed and continue to support the cause year after year.
This year, The Jessica N. Santos Memorial Walk & Family Fun Day will be held, Sunday July 18th at Kingsland Point Park in the Gazebo from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. There will be food and fun for all ages so we hope you will attend and support this event.
For more detailed information about the event or to donate, please visit our website: www.rememberingjessica.com or our page on Facebook: THE JESSICA N. SANTOS FOUNDATION
