About Ski’s Open Heart Foundation
Why we exist
Our mission is to help the people affected by September 11, 2001 — the responders who got sick from it, and the families who lost someone to it. Many first responders didn’t have the health coverage or the savings to cover what happened to them afterward. Once someone gets sick, they often have to stop working, sometimes for good. That leaves families struggling to afford food, shelter, and basic clothing.
Ski’s Open Heart Foundation exists to help fill that gap — with food, clothing, gift cards, and financial assistance, given directly and without a lot of red tape. We also continue the work our founder, Mark “Ski” Gajewski, cared about beyond 9/11: helping local families, children’s charities, and animals whenever we can.
Helping people is a small gesture that everyone can do.
Who runs it
Ski’s Open Heart Foundation is run by Mark’s family. There’s no paid staff.
- Crystal Gajewski — Founder and President
- Sean Gajewski — Co-Founder and Vice President
- Debra Gajewski — Co-Founder and Secretary
What we do
Help for 9/11 responders and families
If you worked or volunteered at Ground Zero, or you’re a 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 long before the foundation existed.
Our history
Ski’s Open Heart Foundation was founded in 2012, with a launch party on June 11 — Mark’s birthday. In 2019, the Town of Brookhaven dedicated part of Martha Avenue in East Patchogue as “Mark W. Gajewski Way.”
Ski's Open Heart Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 45-4596482. Donations are tax-deductible.
Find us
262 Martha AvenueEast Patchogue, NY 11772
(631) 987-8847
info@skisopenheart.com