Foundation Seeks To Continue Legacy Of Late 16-Year-Old

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst mom is looking to pass on the legacy of her daughter, who tragically passed away last September at just 16-years-old.

In her short time on Earth, Lindenhurst High School student Sofia Garbe made a tremendous impact to those around her. According to her mother, Melanie Garbe, she was the "kind of person everyone should strive to be" and embodied "compassion, kindness, and love."

"Whether you were her best friend or just someone she met in passing, she would have done anything to help the people around her," she told Patch. "Following Sofia’s sudden passing, her friends and family knew that there would be a hole left in our lives, the community, and the world."

In order to continue her legacy, Melanie, along with Sofia's siblings, Nick and Caelyn, and her husband and Sofia's father, Kevin, started the Sofia Garbe Memorial Foundation. One way the foundation is looking to carry on her memory so far is by offering two scholarships to Lindenhurst High School students. The scholarships will be offered for students graduating this year and the deadline to apply is March 1. Click here for more information.

In addition to scholarships, in the coming months, the foundation will be working towards raising awareness of mental health issues in the adolescent community.

"One of Sofia's greatest attributes was her ability to help her friends and peers who may have been experiencing issues such as bullying, anxiety, self-esteem, etc.," Melanie said. "We have learned over the years that these issues are becoming more and more prevalent not just in society, but especially in teens."

This issue was one that was important to Sofia, who overcame bullying in middle school and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

"Today, Sofia is not here to help her friends and peers, so we think that the next best thing is to attempt to help as many young people as we can," Melanie said. "The campaign will initially be grass roots. This means providing funding for social and emotional well being programs either in or outside of the school setting. We also hope to raise awareness of today's issues and available resources through targeting parents directly as well."

She is also hoping through the foundation to work with the local school district to provide funding to create a space where students can go to find mental health resources or just take a time out in a tranquil environment.

"We plan on involving students and Sofia's friends in this process and within the foundation itself so that we have the voices of the kids we are hoping to help the most be recognized and heard,"she said. "It is extremely important to us that as adults we don’t 'assume' we know what the teenagers of today are feeling and experiencing, and instead listen to them and have them guide us as to what they need."

For now, the foundation is looking to collect donations in order to help with its mission. A GoFundMe was created as well as a Paypal to help raise money. Checks will also be accepted and can be made out to the Sofia Garbe Memorial Foundation and sent to 141 Ohio Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.

The group plans on having shirts, bracelets and candles available for purchase to raise funds as well.