NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Twelve years, more than $220,000 in donations and thousands of people touched, the Jodie Torigian Charitable Fund has made a permanent impression on the community. This year will mark the 12th anniversary of the death of Jodie and with it, the 12th anniversary benefit in her honor.
The benefit will take place on Saturday November 24, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Beckwith Pointe at 700 Davenport Road. Details here. RSVP.
The Charitable Fund was created shortly after 21 year-old Jodie passed away and her family was determined not to let the tragedy overpower them. They thought about what Jodie believed in and stood for and created a way to give back to the community in which she lived and loved.
The Charitable Fund is a grassroots organization that strives to reach out compassionately to Westchester charities and residents so that lives would be affected in a positive way, much like Jodie strived to do in her everyday life. Unfortunately, this past year the Charitable Fund suffered a major loss when Jodie’s mother, Jeanne Torigian Neville, lost her courageous battle with leukemia.
“This past year has been exceptionally hard for us with the loss of my mom – she was the heart of this organization,” said Amy Torigian Parise, Jodie’s sister. “To honor her, we will continue to do good work in my sister’s memory. We are more committed than ever to live the ‘Butterflies’ mission and help people in need.”
The annual benefit brings together hundreds of neighbors and friends in celebration of Jodie’s remarkable spirit and has become a very important mainstay in the community in which it helps. Hundreds of people benefit each year through monetary contributions and the donation of defibrillators to local schools and organizations. It is believed that had an AED been on hand, Jodie’s life may have been spared.