BRADENTON – She lost her daughter and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Now Cindy Sellitto is turning her grief and struggle into service and compassion.
“It was the end of our world as we knew it,” Sellitto said. Her daughter Kim was murdered in a domestic violence dispute in Nov. 2013.
“After a year of dealing with the criminal system and trying to get through prosecution, I decided that it was time to help people,” Sellitto said.
Originally from Connecticut, she started making care packages for the homeless to get through the brutal winters. When she moved south her desire to help people evolved into the nonprofit Kim’s Krew.
“It was as selfish as it was me wanting to give. The more I did, the more I felt like a human being again,” Sellitto said.
Kim’s Krew donates beds to the bed-less, food and toiletries to the working poor, and toys to kids for the holidays. Their fundraising this year has taken a back seat to COVID-19. They became a 501(c)(3) just as the pandemic hit. Attorney Carl Reynolds wanted Kim’s Krew to have money to help families for the holidays. So he gave Cindy a helping hand.
“I think G-d spared me what you’ve gone through because I’m not sure I’d be a strong enough person to do what you do,” Reynolds said. “I give you such credit, and I’m in awe and inspired by the fact that you can turn such a tragedy into something where you find your mission in life to help others.”
The money will help Cindy keep Kim’s memory alive, by bringing smiles to faces who could really use that extra help. Not even a stage four cancer diagnosis will slow her down.
“I crumbled into a pile, and I’ve done it numerous times, but I gotta get up,” Sellitto said.
In addition to the check Reynolds also donated Christmas meals to 20 families in need. Click here to learn more about Kim’s Krew or visit their Facebook page.