Annemarie Pellerito Memorial Foundation

Annemarie Pellerito suffered from neurofibromatosis, a debilitating genetic disorder. When she passed away just weeks before her 30th birthday, her family and friends established this fund to honor her memory and her passion for living life to the fullest.

The Annemarie Pellerito Memorial Foundation was established at the California Community Foundation in 2003 to enrich the lives of physically and mentally challenged children and young adults by supporting social and recreational programs and opportunities with special consideration to animal related activities, programs that improved Annemarie’s quality of life.

The Annemarie Pellerito Memorial Foundation awards scholarships to college students pursuing a degree in a health related field that provides care, support or inspiration to those with neurofibromatosis and other chronic, life-threatening illnesses.

More About Annemarie

Despite the time she spent coping with neuro-fibromatosis — she had 12 major surgeries and countless other procedures — Annemarie did not let the disease that ravaged her body define her. She was a warm, determined person who strove to the best of her abilities with humor and grace.

Annemarie was a natural horsewoman, winning multiple gold medals in riding and jumping at the Special Olympics Equestrian, culminating in 1998 with an award for Most Inspirational Athlete.

People who met her learned from her: lessons of living in the moment, of being adaptable, of keeping spirits high, of self-acceptance, of courage. She was a mentor to her older brother and an inspiration to all who knew her.

In loving memory of Annemarie Pellerito, September 15, 1973 – August 7, 2003.

To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, click on the button below. You may also send checks payable to the California Community Foundation, noting that the donation is for the Annemarie Pellerito Memorial Foundation. Checks should be mailed to:

California Community Foundation
717 W Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Contributions to the California Community Foundation represent irrevocable gifts subject to the legal and fiduciary control of the foundation’s board of directors. This charge will appear on your credit card statement as a payment to “Calif Comm Fdn – CCF”. In addition, California Community Foundation incurs a third-party administrative fee of 2.7 percent for credit card contributions. The foundation will charge the fee directly to the individual fund.