That was the mission we created for the Randy Salerno Foundation, a goal which is now being achieved.

The first Randy Salerno Endowed Memorial scholarship in the amount of $26,000 has been awarded at Illinois State University.

At an awards luncheon on April 9th of 2009, ISU Junior Jeffrey Wagner of Naperville received the scholarship.

He's described as gregarious, humorous and humble. Sound familiar?

And closer to home, another endowed scholarship in Randy's name was awarded to Dan Vasko, a student at Randy's other alma mater, Crystal Lake South High School in the amount of $10,000. Vasko entered Illinois State University in the fall of 2009. In a Northwest Herald article, Vasko was quoted as saying, “It‘s not even about the money, really,” Vasko said. “It‘s just that they made the scholarship in his honor, and for me to be able to receive it is just something I feel very grateful for.”

Both scholarships will be given annually...for many years to come.

That brings us to the Foundation's new direction.

The mission stays the same, to try and make a difference in someone's life. This time, we're focusing on children… specifically those who have lost a loved one.

The Foundation has partnered with counselors from the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois to create a grief program for bereaved children in McHenry county, where no such program currently exists.

The program is called, "Randy's Remember U." The group meets the third Tuesday of every month, from 6pm to 8pm. Space has been generously donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church of Crystal Lake. Meetings are held at the church's new elementary school.

If you have children who would like to attend this program, please contact Mary Anne Greene at the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois at:
maryann@rememberingrandy.org

If you'd like to volunteer for this program, please email Irene Salerno at:
irene@rememberingrandy.org

Thank you so much for helping to keep Randy's memory alive.