impact Gone but Not Forgotten THE CHRISTINA GRIMMIE FOUNDATION BUILDS ON THE LEGACY LEFT BY A SOUTH JERSEY SINGING SENSATION WHO WAS TAKEN TOO SOON . by Matt Cosentino he letters , hand - drawn pictures , gifts and simple words of sympathy poured in from all over the world . T Singer / songwriter Christina Grimmie , a South Jersey native , may not have had an extended stay in the spotlight , but she certainly developed a devoted following thanks to her popular YouTube videos and her rise to fame on season six of The Voice . around That became clear when Grimmie was Christina’s shot and killed after an Orlando concert in birthday , June 2016 at the age of 22 . The responses which is March from her fans played a significant role in the 12 , ” Marcus says . healing process for her family . “ The first year was “ We were pretty blessed in this terrible really hard but it was just tragedy to have the support we did , ” says nice being around family Marcus Grimmie , Christina’s older brother and friends . So we decided in and road manager who was by her side when 2018 we could have a fundraiser she died . “ My mom and dad were so moved there because so many people by it that they wanted to help other people . from our hometown can’t make the They wanted to inspire the same hope we California event . It mainly started got in other people . ” out as a little get - together and we That led to the creation of the Christina just got overwhelming Grimmie Foundation in 2017 , as Marcus and support and a huge turnout . ” his parents — Tina and Albert ( known as This year’s event will feature perfor - Bud ) — sought to pay it forward by helping mances from two alums of The Voice : similar families in need . The foundation’s Dawson Coyle from season 12 and Audra mission is to provide financial aid and emo - McLaughlin from Christina’s season , who tional support to those affected by gun will be accompanied by Marcus Grimmie . violence or a breast cancer diagnosis . Jennifer Holub , a survivor from the Route 91 Although now based in California , the shooting in Las Vegas , and Thomas Holgate , a survivor of the school shooting in Parkland , family will be returning to South Jersey for Florida , will also be guests . the foundation’s second annual “ East Coast “ The Jersey area really , really supports us , ” says Sue Procko , a board member for the Event ” on March 9 from 1 - 3 p.m . at The foundation . “ Last year we were overwhelmed by how many people came . … We will have a Mansion in Voorhees . A similar event is held silent auction that will be happening there that has some good stuff . The local community in Hollywood in September , coinciding with always comes forward and gives us donations for it ; last year we had gift cards for restaurants the national day of remembrance for victims in the area , a pool service , a bike shop and Philly sports items . ” of homicide . A limited number of tickets for the event remain and can be purchased by visiting Christina and Marcus Grimmie spent bit.ly / EastCoast2 . A handful will also be available at the door . their childhood in West Berlin , Atco and This year’s trip home will be especially emotional for Bud and Marcus Grimmie because Marlton and both attended Cherokee High family matriarch Tina lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in September at 59 . She is School . Many of their family members are buried next to Christina in Berlin Cemetery . still in the area , including grandparents , Tina’s 23 - year ordeal with the disease is why the foundation helps breast cancer patients as aunts , uncles and cousins . well as victims of gun violence . “ We always try to come to New Jersey “ It definitely hits very , very close to home , ” Marcus says . “ When we started , we knew we SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 15 issue 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 42 |