Welcome to Ski’s Open Heart Foundation

Welcome to Ski’s Open Heart Foundation. Our mission is to provide help to the September 11, 2001 victims, heroes, and their families.  As a result of the attack on our country, many of our fellow Americans became sick and did not have medical insurance or savings to cover the cost of their medical bills.  Once a person becomes sick, they often have to take a leave of absence from work or in certain severe circumstances, refrain from working altogether for the rest of their life.  Consequently, our heroes and their families are unable to afford to essentials such as food, shelter and clothes.  The foundation will concentrate on providing our neighbors, friends, family and Fellow Americans who lost their lives or continue to suffer the consequences of September 11, 2011 with the resources necessary such as food, clothing and/or financial assistance to live full and satisfying lives.  The Foundation also concentrates on continuing the benevolent work of the its inspiration, Mark W. Gajewski, by working with children charities, animals, and simply lending a helping hand wherever possible.  Helping people is a small gesture that everyone can do.

Visitors to this site can share their own personal stories, learn more about the foundation, purchase merchandise to support the foundation and donate to our great causes via the mail, online, or through up-coming events.

From the Blog

    Waking Up To A Thank You

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    This is the reason we continue to bring awareness to our mission. When you wake up and the below is the first email you see, it brings tears to your eyes. Tears of reminders of how our family felt loosing my Dad, tears of Hope, tears or joy, and tears knowing that we are able to help someone who our country has forgotten. Great way …

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    9/11 Health Watch Releases VCF Deadline Countdown Clock

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    Injured Responders and Survivors May Have Only 150 Days Before Deadline. Today, 150 days before the first major deadline under the revisedSeptember 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), 911 Health Watch released its VCF Deadline Countdown Clock to remind those injured by 9/11 that they may have only 150 days to register with the VCF. The web-based clock, which is being made available to organizations and websites that would reach …

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    Statement on Study Showing 15% Increased Cancer Rates Among 9/11 Responders

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    Dear Friends, Supporters and Fellow First Responders: As you are aware, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”) and the Mount Sinai World Trade Center Health Program have issued a report indicating that 9/11 First Responders have a 15% higher incidence of cancers than the general public. This report continues to prove what we in the 9/11 Community have known for many years, …

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    9/11 Responders Remembered Flowers In The Park

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    On May 4, 2013 at 9:00 am, the Boy Scouts from Nesconset will be helping The 911 Responders Remembered Park Inc. spread mulch and planting spring flowers. They are in need of some wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and helping hands for the morning, even if it is just for 1 hour it would be helpful. If anyone would like to donate flowers you may drop them …

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    Our Hearts Go Out To Those In Boston

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    Our hearts at Ski’s Open Heart Foundation, go out to those injured and those lost in the explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2013. While it is premature to speculate who did this and why, lets remember human life has been lost to what seems like senseless violence and an act of cowards. To all those effected by 9/11 and its aftermath, we …

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    Jacob Javits Center International Car Show 2013

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    A Team of Camaros, owned by Thomas Grenier, Joanne Giordano, and Francisco Mercado, were on display during the 2013 International Car Show at the Javits Center in NYC.  The car named VSV-1 was displayed to raise awareness for 9-1-1 Veterans, Sgt Bill Mckenna Foundation, Ski’s Open Heart Foundation, and the PTSD.  VSV-2 was displayed in an effort to raise awareness for our veterans, police, firefighters, emergency …

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    Ski’s Open Heart Foundation’s First Annual Toy Drive

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    On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, Ski’s Open House Foundation’s  1st Annual Toy Drive was held at Canz-a-Citi Roadhouse in Patchogue from 7-11 pm.  The toy drive is meant to continue a tradition that Mark “Ski” Gajewski started about 10 years ago when he donated his time and money to local charities during the holidays.   During the toy drive we collected unwrapped toys and gift cards …

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    Ski’s Open Heart Helps Hurricane Sandy Victims

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    In November 2012, Long Island, New York City, Staten Island, New Jersey, CT and the rest of the East Coast experienced one of the worst hurricanes in is history.  Many families lost everything; from their houses to their cars; their beloved animals and many of their prized possessions.  Ski’s Open Heart Foundation partnered with the Johnny Mac Foundation and the Feal Good Foundation to set …

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    Brick Purchased at Diamond in the Pines 9/11 Memorial

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    Recently, a beautiful park was built in Coram, New York called the Diamond in the Pines 9/11 Memorial.  At the Diamond in Pines Park you can purchase bricks to memorialize and thank someone that helped or gave their life during 9/11.  There is a gazebo where you can sit and view the games being played in the park or just enjoy the outdoors.  Also, in …

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    Ski’s Hardhat Held by Senator Schumer at the Building of the 2013 Inaugural Stage

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    On September 20, 2012, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched the construction of the Inaugural platform at the First Nail Ceremony at the United States Capitol.  The inaugural platform, currently being erected on the West Front of the Capitol Building, will seat about 1,600 people including former presidents, members of Congress, cabinet officials, joint chiefs, and diplomats who attend the inauguration of the next U.S. President. …

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    Hurricane Isaac Support

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    As you all know Hurricane Isaac came ashore in Louisiana the night of August 28-29, with winds up to 80 mph. The heavy rain and storm surges flooded a large majority of the coastal southeast Louisiana and Mississippi and has wrecked havoc to many of our fellow American’s homes. During the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Mark Gajewski loaded up his truck with water, clothing, and …

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    Strength and Hope Walk – Call for help!

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    On September 11, 2012, Ski’s Open Heart Foundation will be hosting a Strength & Hope Walk from Montauk Point to the Ground Zero Memorial. The start time is 8:46 A.M. The walk is to remember and honor Det. Lt / MEC USCG Christopher M. Pupo (February 2, 1972 – June 23, 2012) and all those that have lost their lives after 9/11. 50% of the …

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    Our Services

      Mission

      In addition to helping families of 9/11, the Foundation also concentrates on continuing the benevolent work of the its inspiration, Mark W. Gajewski, by working with children charities, animals, and simply lending a helping hand wherever possible.  Helping people is a small gesture that everyone can do. Please contact Ski’s Open Heart Foundation if you’re in need of our help.  Visit our Share your Story tab and tell us your story or if you are interested in becoming a part of the Foundation, please visit our Contact Us tab.  Pulling together we can make a big difference.

      If you or a loved on is In need of help, please download, fill out, and return to us our Responder Form.

      Events

      In order to help raise awareness and collect donations for those in need, Ski’s Open Heart Foundation sets up events that are attended by many Americans looking to support our cause. Please visit our Recent Events tab for the events we have already hosted, and visit our Upcoming Events tab for information on the events that are currently planned.

      Our next event is:

      1st Anniversary Gala
      (Tuesday – June 11, 2013)
      Location: Blue in Blue Point
      Start Time 6:00 p.m.
      Sponsorship Form
      Click here to see the flyer.

      Strength & Hope Walk/Relay
      (September 11-13, 2013)
      Start at Montauk Point Lighthouse 8:46 a.m.
      Relay Sponsor Form
      Registrants Form
      Final Flyer

      2nd Annual Toy Drive
      (December 2013 TBD)

       

      Donations

      Donate to Ski’s Open Heart Foundation today and help the provide the resources necessary the individuals who are now suffering from the events that happen on September 11, 2001. Your donations will go towards the needs of these special Americans who came to America’s rescue in a time of need and to those that are in a position of needing help. Please visit our Donations tab for information on how to donate. All donations are tax-deductible, as Ski’s Open Heart Foundation is a 501c3 foundation.