For a young person, losing a family member can be a devastating experience. However, losing multiple family members all at once is almost unthinkable. That’s what happened to Dexter Gardiner, who on July 9, 2006 lost six family members in a tragic car accident on the Bronx River Parkway.

Yet despite the loss, Dexter chose to use the tragedy as a way to help others who have experienced similar situations in losing beloved family members unexpectedly. Needless to say, for those left behind, especially children whose college education may suddenly be in doubt due to financial concerns, the world can suddenly seem very uncertain.

However, thanks to Dexter choosing to start the Gardiner Foundation, children in these unthinkable circumstances can rest easy, knowing they can receive financial help for their education. By teaming up with Jeff Korek and his partners at the law firm of Gersowitz, Libo, and Korek P.C., a scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded annually to as many as five deserving students. By doing so, we at the Gardiner Foundation can do our part to help ease the financial burden a student’s family may have in trying to help them realize their dreams of higher education.

Gardiner Foundation Events

• Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
• Annual Basketball Classic Tournament
• Annual Basketball Clinic
• Holiday Toy Drive
• Events at the HeartShare Women’s Shelter

Whether helping more than 1000 families with a free Thanksgiving meal or enjoying free entertainment, food and beverages and exciting action on the basketball court, to working with the woman and children at the homeless shelter, Gardiner Foundation takes great pride in partnering with GLK to help local families not only with financial and scholarship assistance, but also with help obtaining school supplies, spiritual mentoring, and burial assistance if needed.

Dedicated to Helping the Community

The Gardiner Foundation is more dedicated than ever to helping those in our community overcome tragedy and discover happiness and achievement in their lives. By partnering with Gersowitz, Libo, and Korek P.C., a personal injury firm that deals with family tragedies on a daily basis, we strive to address  just how important financial resources can be to a family struggling with sudden loss. If your family is in need of attorneys who can help you with a personal injury claim, contact Gersowitz, Libo, and Korek P.C. for a free consultation, and let them help you get the financial compensation you and your family need and deserve.

Awarding Scholarships

Once we have looked over all the applications and determined those we feel are the most deserving, the winning students and their families will be contacted. And when it comes time to award the scholarships, the ceremony will be held at the Gardiner Foundation Basketball Classic at St. James Park in late August. Always a very rewarding and emotional event, the scholarship ceremony is our way of not only recognizing the students and their families, but also having an opportunity to express our thoughts regarding the courage shown by each family.