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Community Corner

Benefit for Chris Schiaffino's Children Set for Saturday

Money raised at a benefit at La Superica in Sag Harbor will go towards his two sons' education.

This Saturday friends and family of . of East Hampton will gather at in Sag Harbor, where Schiaffino and friends often hung out after softball games, to remember a loving father, son, brother and friend who passed away in his sleep in May at the age of 35.

Proceeds will be placed in an educational fund for Schiaffino’s sons, Christopher Jr., 4 ½, and Daniel, 3 ½.

“This is not only a scholarship fund for the kids,” said Suzette Dickson, who along with her husband Doug is a godparent to Christopher Jr., “It gives friends and family a chance to reunite and share our loss. It’s important for everyone who is still struggling with such a sudden loss.”

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“It is a great thing to help the kids get a start on their college education,” said Doug Dickson. “Chris was a great softball player,” he said, reminiscing about his 25 year friendship with Chris Schiaffino.

Christopher Jr. and Daniel attend , a non-profit, pre-kindergarten school for special needs children in Southampton, where Christopher is working to overcome Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a speech coordination disorder in which children have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words. He had been attending the school and when his father passed away, and the school allowed Daniel to attend as well.

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“I was so incredibly touched by people’s generosity,” said Christopher’s and Daniel’s mother, Kristen Schiaffino, describing items that have been donated to the Chinese auction and raffle.

“We have two beautiful Turkish rugs from , a beautiful vase, a two-night getaway to the Montauk Lake Club, a premium wine tasting for four, and a wine and cheese tasting for two.” Raffle prizes also include a private trip to Block Island and a foursome at the .

“Christopher was extremely generous and always helped out friends in need,” Kristen said. “I always knew when he was in the room because of his laughter. He had a wonderful personality. On May 9th, part of my heart was buried and I’m never going to get it back. We had two children together and shared a family. I truly lost a big portion of my heart.”

Chris Schiaffino was born and raised on Staten Island. After college, he moved to East Hampton to work with his father’s landscape business, . He was starting short-stop for Oceanaire Nurseries, La Superica and , where he led his teams to countless championships.

Donations can be made at under Christopher Schiaffino Jr. and Daniel Schiaffino.

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