Christian J. Santo Legacy Foundation

DONATE TO OUR FIRST ANNUAL $99,999 DRIVE “CHRISTIAN CARES"

"I don't like to give up on people when they need someone not to give up on them" - Christian J. Santo

Our Mission

The mission of the Christian J. Santo Legacy Foundation is to provide support and financial assistance in the fields of education, health, and sports to children and families that may be distressed or in financial need.

Our Goal

Our goal is to keep Christian’s legacy alive. Those who knew Christian, knew that he was a presence in any room and in some way, touched the lives of those he befriended. His desire to help people and his selflessness were admirable. He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on to help others.

Who We’ve Helped

Past recipients include the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Bridge To Youth, a family with two autistic children in financial distress, two deserving college athletes who received baseball athletic college scholarships and two college-bound students with developmental disabilities receiving scholarships in order to obtain resources to be academically successful.

Media Coverage

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Brooklyn nonprofit replaces 12-year-old girl's stolen electric wheelchair | CBS News

NEW YORK -- A few weeks ago, CBS New York reported on a 12-year-old Westchester County girl with a spinal cord disease whose wheelchair was stolen.

Since then, the community has stepped up to help.

At the Christian J. Santo Legacy Foundation's Winter Wonderland celebration in Brooklyn, Aliyah Rivera was the guest of honor Saturday night.

"We want...

Strangers step up to help Ossining 12-year-old whose wheelchair was stolen

After Aliyah Rivera's story aired on CBS New York, people from all over responded to help the girl suffering from a spinal cord disease. Tony Aiello reports.

Non-profit to donate new motorized wheelchair to Ossining 12-year-old after theft

A non-profit organization in Brooklyn is donating a new motorized wheelchair to a 12-year-old Ossining girl after it was stolen from her home last week.

Aliyah Rivera was getting ready to go to school the morning of Nov. 16 when a man was caught on security camera footage stealing her motorized wheelchair, which was set up...

Brooklyn Reporter, “Cyclones honor memory of local ballplayer”

The Brooklyn Cyclones paid tribute to a Bay Ridge baseball player who had a passion for helping others. On Aug. 4, Maimonides Park hosted the family and friends of Christian Santo, who died of heart failure on Sept. 17, 2020 at age 27. The Xaverian High School graduate is survived by his father Bill, mother Karen...

Canarsie Courier, “Seat Dedicated To Young Athlete At Brooklyn Cyclones Game”

On August 4th, the Christian J. Santo Foundation attended the Brooklyn Cyclones game as part of a foundation fundraiser. Christian Santo was born on November 1, 1992. The oldest of three children and an outstanding athlete, Christian died of heart failure on September 17, 2020 at the age of 27. After Christian’s untimely passing, his...

The Tablet, “Only In Print: Grieving Parents Honor Late Son By Creating Garden Oasis”

BAY RIDGE — Christian Santo died last year of heart failure at age 27, but in many ways, his memory will live on — in nature and in the world of college sports. That’s because of his parents, Karen and Bill Santo of Bay Ridge. Painful as his passing has been, they decided to channel...

NetNY, “Christian J. Santo Foundation Gives Away Full Tuition Scholarships in Honor of Xaverian Graduate”

Christian Santo is hard to forget. His parents Karen and Bill couldn’t be more proud of him. “Christian was just one of these people that just wanted to help everyone,” Karen said. “He put himself last all the time.” When he wasn’t giving haircuts to children with autism, playing baseball or spending time with family,...

Current News, “Christian J. Santo Foundation Gives Away Full Tuition Scholarships in Honor of Xaverian Graduate”

When Christian Santo wasn't giving haircuts to children with autism, playing baseball or spending time with family, the 27-year-old Xaverian High School graduate was finding a way to help someone else. He died of heart failure on his dad’s birthday, Sept. 17, 2020. Now his parents are honoring his memory with a memorial and foundation....