A Bench to Honor Charles Stern (1999 - 2022)

Hi Friends, Family & SOMA Community,

Many of you know that we lost Charles Stern at 23 years young in December 2022. Thank you friends far and wide for your help last year feeding the Stern Family when Charles was ill. And for donating funds to fulfill his last wish of a tropical vacation with his family to the US Virgin Island, Saint Thomas.

We have 'A Wish' for Charles and are asking for donations to install a bench with a plaque in his honor at Meadowland Park, South Orange. The bench will overlook the Baseball Fields, as Charles was an avid baseball fan and spent much of his youth playing on these fields. The minimum needed for the bench, shipping, assembly and installation is $3,200. Depending on the amount of funds we receive, we will also consider dedicating a native tree with a plaque to be located behind the bench. An additional estimated $1,300 would be needed if we add the tree and brass plaque.

The community, friends, family, and donors will be invited to the dedication/unveiling ceremony and reception anticipated for the end of August 2023. More details will follow.

We would like to give a shoutout to South Orange Village President, Sheena Collum, the Board of Trustees, Deputy Township Administrator, Peter Travers, and Acting Director Public Works, Joe Foligno for their help, support, and guidance on this project so dear to our hearts.

Warm regards,

Lisa Mainardi

on behalf of Julie, Jed & Maddy Stern,

as well as Charles' closest Friends & their Families: Peter, Archie, Liz & Phil Henderson, along with Kalman, Stephanie & Matt Carmel, Luke, Carolyn & Mike Davis, Max, Carlos & Ian Grodman, Evan & Amy Hartford, Kathleen Kargoll, Jess Lebedynski, Eli, Bronwen & Lee Navlen, Andrew, Wendy & Tomas Padilla, Nicole Schwartzbard, Sean Taylor, John Williams, and Max, Oliva, Jenny & Marty Winters.