In memory of Mark “Ski” Gajewski — still helping, one family at a time.
Ski’s Open Heart Foundation gives direct help to 9/11 responders and their families, and runs an annual toy and food drive for kids on Long Island. We’re a small, family-run foundation — not a big charity with a staff and a calendar full of events. Just relatives and friends keeping Mark’s promise to help people when they need it.
A family foundation
Ski’s Open Heart Foundation was started in 2012 by Mark “Ski” Gajewski’s widow, Debra, and his two children, Crystal and Sean, after Mark died of a 9/11-related cancer. We’re a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we’re still run by the same family today.
What we do now
We do two things: help 9/11 responders and their families who need it, and run an annual toy and food drive for kids on Long Island. That’s it — no galas, no relay races, no merchandise store. Just the two things that matter most to us.
Need help?
If you worked or volunteered at Ground Zero, or you’re the family member of someone who did, you may be eligible for direct assistance.
The Annual Toy & Food Drive
Every year we collect unwrapped toys, gift cards, and food for kids and families on Long Island — a tradition Mark started himself.
The man behind the name
Mark “Ski” Gajewski was a Marine, a welder, and a biker who drove his own tractor trailer and tools to Ground Zero and stayed until the last day of clean-up — 2,900 hours in all. He died of 9/11-related lung cancer on December 17, 2011. His daughter Crystal wrote his story in her own words.
Give
Every dollar given to Ski’s Open Heart Foundation goes to one of those two things above: help for responders and families, or the holiday drive. Donations are tax-deductible — Ski’s Open Heart Foundation is a 501(c)(3), EIN 45-4596482.
