A community’s response to loss
Christine Russo organized a community fundraiser in memory of her brother Dominic Russo, channeling the proceeds into the Change the Game for Dom Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to giving under‑privileged children the chance to play basketball.
The foundation’s core mission is to remove financial barriers that keep many youngsters off the court, covering expenses such as shoes, equipment and league fees, a tribute to Dominic’s own passion for the sport.
The tragic crash that claimed Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan unfolded when Mackenzie Shirilla accelerated her vehicle into a brick wall at over 100 miles per hour, an incident that has resulted in a sentence of 15 years to life for Shirilla.
A Netflix documentary titled “The Crash” amplified the case worldwide, and in its wake Christine Russo launched a podcast to confront the flood of misinformation that has surrounded the tragedy.
While the foundation is preparing to file for 501(c)(3) tax‑exempt status, donations made today are not yet tax‑deductible, a detail that organizers hope will change as the paperwork concludes.