This is the Russoniello family. See that kid in the middle? The goofy one with the crooked smile and the purple shirt? The one who looks like he'd be a blast to hang out with? That's Andrew. And he's kind of amazing.

Andrew was the type of kid who would be best friends with a three year old. I know, because he was best friends with my daughter since she was three, five years ago. He was about eight at the time, and he was happy to be her friend, loved to hang out with her. And that should tell you a lot about him.

He was the kind of kid who would wheel a tired baby around a backyard in a carriage, playing lullabies on his cell phone. The kind of kid who would happily gather all the little kids on the trampoline and gently bounce around with them. And enjoy it. It wasn't a chore.

He was the type of kid who wasn't even a little bit afraid of what other people thought of him, who wore socks on his arms because he liked the way it looked, and who made everyone he knew a little happier, a little braver, a little better.

He was into sports, but he wasn't a jock. He was into theater, but he wasn't dramatic. He was funny, so incredibly funny. And he was creative. So smart, with a laser wit and the quickest smile I ever saw.

He was an amazing kid, and his family is faced with the most unthinkable situation. They have to say goodbye to Andrew. He was thirteen.

Andrew was taken from us far too early, on Monday 8/29, in a tragic accident. This world is darker without him.  Not just the Russoniello's world, but the entire world. He was that bright of a light.

Friends are coordinating fundraising to help the family with final expenses, and anything else they may need.  PayPal donations can be sent to SOsenenko@gmail.com. A Go Fund Me option is available, as well. You can also contact me at SOsenenko@gmail.com to inquire about sending a check for the family. 100% of the money raised via PayPal and check will go to the family. Go Fund Me does keep a portion of each donation, but we understand that there may be people who aren't comfortable PayPaling someone they don't know.

I will post updates to the fundraising efforts, probably in the comments of this post.  Thank you for any donations you can make, for sharing this link, and for keeping the family and friends of Andrew Russoniello in your thoughts and prayers.

Emily, Chris, Kit and Dari, you are loved beyond measure. And Andrew, you will be missed forever.

~Sharon Osenenko