Christines Hope For Kids

In January of 2010, 22 year old Christine Gianacaci of Hopewell Township, New Jersey, and several of her classmates from Lynn University, traveled to Haiti on a mission of hope; to help children and to feed the poor.

When a massive earthquake struck on January 12th, the Hotel Montana in Port-Au-Prince collapsed and Christine, along with 3 other students and two professors, were killed.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of all those who died that day. They each represented the qualities of kindness, caring, giving and compassion that are so desperately needed in our world today.

While these six wonderful people are gone, the love and energy they created in their lives is still very much alive.

The Christine’s Hope for Kids Foundation was created to continue the legacy and generous spirit of Christine Gianacaci, and her desire to help underprivileged children have an opportunity for a better life.

Our Mission

It is the mission of Christine’s Hope for Kids Foundation to raise money to help underprivileged children in the United States, provide them with opportunities to learn, laugh, grow and excel, and provide experiences that will have a positive impact on their lives. Each donation will be made with the message to pay it forward, and believe that each person can make a difference every day by just being a little bit kinder and helping others when they can. This was how Christine lived her life everyday. This is the legacy this foundation will carry on.

One child at a time, one smile at a time, will make a difference to last a lifetime.

Christine – A Life of Kindness

Throughout her short but very full life Christine Gianacaci had one true passion: to help children in any way she could. It was a passion she felt deeply. It was born, in part, from her own struggles as a child.

As a young girl Christine was extremely social and outgoing; so much so that she soon earned the nickname “the mayor.” If a new child came into the classroom Christine would be the first one to go up and introduce herself, and then take the initiative to introduce the new student to everyone else. She had a natural love for people, and a natural kindness and positive energy that was hard to contain.

But at age 11, life changed dramatically for Christine when she was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndome. Suddenly she couldn’t do many of things the other kids would do. She couldn’t go to the movies, go to church, or other quiet places because of the constant ticking.

And, of course, there was the teasing and ridicule from other children, who never quite understand how much their words can hurt.

Christine seemed to go into her shell, becoming quiet, shy and withdrawn. But inside she was developing a pure understanding of the power of kindness and giving; an understanding that would soon bring new meaning and direction to her life.

If she was teased she didn’t get angry or resentful but, instead, tried to understand. It became her signature to always be generous and always give, even if nothing was given in return.

Towards the end of high school, the Tourette’s began to calm down, allowing Christine to enroll at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. It was at Lynn University that all of Christine’s wisdom and experiences started to come together, and her life of giving and helping children began to take shape.

In the spring of her sophomore year Christine took her first mission trip to Jamaica with a group called Food for the Poor. She came back a different person. It changed her life.

She talked about the children, working in the schools and helping in the orphanages where she saw the poorest of the poor. She helped build houses, feed sick children, and deliver clothes and toys. It gave her a whole new appreciation for her family and her life. She began to take account of all she had, and all she had taken for granted. It changed her. All she talked about was going back.

So the next year, when she learned of the trip to Haiti, there was never a question. She knew it was her calling. She knew she had to go.

Yes, Christine’s death is a terrible tragedy. It is a terrible loss for her family and friends. But the truth is, in her short life, Christine achieved something that many of us never achieve; she found a purpose and a calling that gave her true happiness and purpose. She died doing what she was meant to do. She died doing what she loved.

We cannot change the past, but we can work together to turn this tragedy into triumph. Christine started something of real substance and meaning. The real tragedy would be if those who knew her and loved her didn’t follow through.

Because of Christine’s kindness, compassion, determination and generosity, thousands of children in this country will have an opportunity for a better life. That is the commitment of this foundation. That is our promise to Christine.