The Lawzie Marigold Foundation Honoring Lauren Baruch

Lauren Baruch Smithtown

As the somber anniversary of the Cutchogue Limo Crash, that took four beautiful girls from our community approaches, a foundation is born, to celebrate the life of Lauren Baruch. The Lawzie Marigold Foundation held it’s inaugural fundraiser over the weekend. On Sunday, May 15th, 2016 over 150 people came out to the Main Event Restaurant in Farmingdale, to paint the Brooklyn Bridge in memory of Lauren. Paint Party LI- by MD Design Studio 
hosted and supplied the tools and instructions to help a packed room of artists, paint the iconic bridge. 
The restaurant donated a portion of the day’s proceeds in addition to ticket sales, a 50/50 raffle and T-shirt sales; all of which will go to fund a Scholarship in memory of Lauren Baruch.

The Lawzie Marigold Foundation was founded in April. In just under one month, the foundation has accomplished a large following through social media and via the web. Every year, the foundation will give two scholarships to young women about to graduate High School, who exhibit similar qualities, moral code and “joie de vivre” that Lauren blessed this world with. They say mother knows best… which is why Mrs. Baruch will choose each scholarship recipient for the foundation. 

The Foundation was created with love by close friends and family members to celebrate the memory of Lauren Baruch. Both the Lawzie Marigold Website and Social Media channels were created by Smithtown Real Estate Guru, Tracy Del Priore. The Board Members include Mrs Baruch’s sister; Terry Pirrone and neice; Allison Giorgianni in addition to close Friends and Smithtown residents; Cindy Taormina, Susan Arundel, Tracy Del Priore and Lorraine Wolf Sabbatino.

According to Lorraine Wolf Sabbatino at the Lawzie Marigold Foundation, Lauren and her mother had made a pact, prior to her passing, to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for both of their birthdays, which are this week. So it only seemed fitting that the first fundraiser would honor such a sentimental memory. It is also why members of the foundation will join with Mrs. Baruch, close family and friends, to walk across the bridge, early Saturday Morning.

(Disclaimer: The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is an unofficial event, not affiliated with the Lawzie Marigold Foundation)

About the Lawzie Marigold Foundation:

The Lawzie Marigold Foundation was founded to celebrate the life, charitable spirit and preserve the memory of Lauren Baruch. Every School year, the foundation hopes to provide two scholarships in Lauren’s memory to female seniors, graduating from high school. The Lawzie Marigold Foundation also hopes to raise financial support for other worthy causes that represent Lauren’s principals and passions.

Lauren Baruch Memorial Scholarship Criteria:

lauren_baruch1Scholarship applicants should posses a similar work, school and life ethic as Lauren Baruch did. Baruch was the student president of her 2009 class at Smithtown H.S. West, a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America and a member of DECA. In 2009, Baruch’s DECA public relations team placed third at the International Career Development Conference in California. After High School, Lauren attended Farmingdale State College, hoping to pursue a career in Public Relations or public speaking. In between her studies, Lauren Baruch balanced three jobs as a nanny, a restaurant hostess and as an executive assistant for the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Lauren Baruch had dreams and aspirations of traveling the world, cultivating an understanding of both her own roots and the culture of others.

To get involved or contribute to the Lawzie Marigold Foundation, please visit: LawzieMarigold.blogspot.com Or click to make a donation via PayPal