C&G Legacy Project Donate
Cynthia & Gery's Legacy Project

No kid should carry the loss of a parent alone.

We raise money and resources for children and teens who have lost a mother, father, or both, through donations, charity events, and free tutoring.

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C&G Legacy Project logo: two children held inside a heart beneath a rising sun

In loving memory

Cynthia & Gery

Cynthia Martin1971–2023
Gery Grimm1967–2025

Remembering Gery

Gery in a Phillies shirt and cap standing on a baseball field with two of his boys, one wearing catcher's gear and a medal
Gery at the ballpark with his boys

Remembering Cynthia

Cynthia kneeling on a tiled patio, hugging her young son and daughter
Cynthia with her son and daughter

Why we started

The C&G Legacy Project is named for Cynthia and Gery, two parents whose love didn't end when they were gone.

Gery

Gery was born in Omaha, Nebraska, into a large family of seven, growing up with four sisters in a second-generation German-American family. He went on to serve his country as a combat medic in the Gulf War, and caring for others stayed at the center of his life from then on.

After his service, Gery settled in Illinois, where he started a family of his own, and later moved south to Florida. He never stopped learning. In his 50s, he graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic, earned his license, and went on to practice as a chiropractor. In his later years, he helped fellow veterans with their medical affairs through the VA.

Gery was one of the kindest, most polite men you could ever meet. Whether he was coaching flag football or helping other veterans with their health, he always had a smile, no matter the situation. Above all, he loved his three sons. He never missed a chance to watch them play baseball, and he was a die-hard fan of every Chicago team. Today he is remembered through his sons, and through his compassion and his lifelong drive to help others.

Cynthia

Cynthia was born in New Jersey and moved to Florida as a child, where she grew up surrounded by a large and close-knit family. As she got older, she became a devoted mother to a son and daughter, and providing for the people she loved became one of the defining parts of her life. She found a special love for cooking, and with such a large family, she naturally became the one bringing everyone together around the table.

Cynthia was the ultimate provider—constantly giving, caring, and making sure the people around her were taken care of. She was known for her gentle nature and the kindness she showed to everyone she met. Her greatest legacy lives on through her children, who carry that same desire to serve others into their own lives—her son through becoming a firefighter and her daughter through pursuing psychology. Through them, Cynthia’s compassion, generosity, and love for helping others continue to reach people every day.

Losing a parent affects everything, from schoolwork to the simple costs of being a kid. We exist to raise the funds, supplies, and tutoring help that keep these kids on track, so they don't fall behind in school or go without because a parent has died.

“Losing a parent at a young age changes a kid in ways that are hard to put into words. No child should have to go through that alone, or carry the financial weight of losing a parent and provider on top of it.”

James Grimm, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

What we do

Three ways we support kids who have lost a parent

Donations

Donations & drives

We collect money and needed items, such as school supplies, backpacks, coats, and holiday gifts, and direct them to kids who have lost a parent.

Charity events

Community fundraisers

Simple, low-cost fundraisers like holiday giving tables, gift wrapping stations, and restaurant give-back nights raise the money behind everything we do.

Tutoring

Free tutoring

Losing a parent can make school harder. Volunteer tutors help students keep up with their classes, at no cost to the family.

Charity events

Come out, have fun, and give back

Every dollar raised goes toward school supplies, comfort kits, and holiday gifts for kids who have lost a parent.

November–December

Holiday gift drive

Collecting new toys, gifts, and gift cards so kids who have lost a parent have something to open this holiday season.

Pending
November–December

Holiday giving tables

Volunteers host a donation table outside local stores during the holiday rush. Stop by, say hello, and give what you can.

Pending
December

Holiday gift wrapping station

We wrap your holiday gifts in exchange for a donation, at a local shop or community event.

Pending
December 1

Giving Tuesday

Join the global day of giving with a one-day online push. Every gift that day goes toward the holiday drive.

Pending
Year-round

Restaurant give-back night

Eat at a local partner restaurant, and a portion of the night's sales goes to the project.

Pending
Year-round

Storefront donation table

Find us outside local stores with a donation table and a QR code for quick, secure online giving.

Pending

Get involved

Ways to help

Donate

Give once or monthly. Every gift goes toward supplies, drives, and free tutoring.

Partner as a local business

Host a donation drop-off box, a give-back night, or a small donation, and we'll thank you on our website and social media.

Host a drive

Run a supply, coat, or toy drive at your school, team, church, or workplace. We'll send you flyers and a wish list.

Volunteer as a tutor

High school and college students, teachers, and retirees welcome. A couple of hours a week makes a real difference.

Reach out

Partner with us, volunteer, or ask a question. We reply within 2 business days. You can also email us at .

Our Team

The people behind the project

Founders

James Grimm
  • University of Central Florida
  • Burnett Honors College
  • Phi Delta Epsilon
  • Biomedical Sciences, Pre‑Med

James Grimm

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Builds and manages the organization, coordinates legal and administrative processes, and oversees operational systems and internal infrastructure.

James is the son of Gery Grimm. He is an undergraduate student in the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine and a member of the Burnett Honors College, majoring in Biomedical Sciences on the pre-medical track with a planned minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He is also a member of UCF's chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon, the international medical fraternity. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he plans to pursue his passion for medicine and become a doctor.

When James lost his dad, he didn't know what to do or how to express what he was feeling, so he kept it to himself. Experiencing that showed him that no kid should have to face the loss of a parent on their own. That is why this mission matters so much to him, and it is also a driving force behind his pursuit of becoming a doctor.

Rex Martin
  • City of Orlando Fire Academy
  • EMT School
  • Future Paramedic

Rex Martin

Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer

Leads external relations and events, cultivates donor and community partnerships, and oversees fundraising initiatives.

Rex is the son of Cynthia Martin. He is working toward becoming a firefighter and paramedic. He is currently in the fire academy and EMT school for the City of Orlando, and after earning his EMT certification, he will go on to paramedic school.

When Rex's mother passed away, he struggled to open up and find a place to express himself around people his age who understood how he felt. That is why this project, and the community it builds, is so important to him.

Leadership Team

Alden Hickey
  • University of Florida
  • Warrington College of Business
  • Frontline Insurance Intern
  • Finance

Alden Hickey

Chief Financial Officer

Manages the finances, tracks every donation, and makes sure each dollar goes where donors intend.

Alden is a Finance major at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business. He interns at Frontline Insurance, a homeowners insurance carrier serving Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, where he's gained hands-on experience in the financial side of the business. He plans to build a career in finance and wealth management.

Alden is close friends with both James and Rex, and he saw firsthand how hard it was for James after losing his dad and for Rex after losing his mom. Being there for them through it inspired Alden to get involved and help other kids facing the same loss. When they asked him to be CFO, he saw it as a way to put his skills toward something personal: making sure every donation is handled with care and goes exactly where it's meant to, so the mission can reach as many kids as possible.