Holiday Harmony Yoga & St John’s Pantry Food Drive
December 2025
December was a deeply meaningful month for Whitney’s Legacy—one filled with love, remembrance, and the power of community. We began the month on December 7 with a sold-out Holiday Harmony Yoga event at the Rome Art and Community Center, led by the wonderful Bianca DeLuca of Full Lotus Yoga. For an hour, participants moved, breathed, and connected, and afterward shared cookies, hot chocolate, and genuine holiday warmth. The love and support in the room were undeniable—you couldtruly feel it. Because of this incredible community, we raised over $900 in support of our mission. Later in the month, we were honored to make a substantial donation to St. John’s Food Pantry, which had been left nearly empty after the government shutdown and the pause in SNAP benefits. Being able to help during such a difficult time reminded us why this work matters so deeply.
On December 12—the second anniversary of Whitney’s passing—our board members stood together in the cold, packing bags and loading cars with holiday food. Snow falling, hands numb, hearts full—we felt Whitney with us every step of the way. In that moment, it wasclear we were doing exactly what she would have been doing if she were still here. Whitney’s Legacy continues to grow through generosity, compassion, and the belief that small acts can change lives. One event, one donation, one act of kindness at a time, we are making thisworld a better place—just as Whitney always did. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, your support, and your willingness toshow up. Because of you, Whitney’s Legacy lives on and remains a vital part of this community.
Peace in the park & Ectopic Pregnancy awareness day.
July & August 2025
Whitney’s Legacy Music Fest - June 2025
The inaugural Whitney's Legacy Music Festival was held at the Rome Art and Community Center on Bloomfield Street in Rome on Saturday, June 28th.
The event featured performances by a wide variety of talented local musicians, offering a vibrant and diverse musical experience for those attending.
In addition, there were also local vendors, silent auctions, 50-50 raffles and plenty of food and drinks.
Money raised from the event will benefit Whitney's Legacy.
Whitney's Legacy was founded in memory of Whitney Grogan-Vega, a member of the Rome community who lost her life due to an ectopic pregnancy.
"She was a passionate woman," Sue Francisco, Whitney's mom and president of Whitney's Legacy Foundation, said. "She was forever helping people, whether it was the homeless guy around the corner, or as an advocate for children, even animals. She was just very, very diverse. She worked her whole life to make everything more equitable."
Since its inception just over a year ago, Whitney's Legacy has donated close to $12,000 to various charities around the Rome area.
Raffle For Day of Enlightenment- May 2025
Zurawski v Texas Movie Screening: February 2025
Whitney's Legacy hosted a remarkable free movie screening of Zurawski v. Texas on February 12th at the Utica MVCC. Despite the unpredictable Central New York weather, the event saw a fantastic turnout, with over 100 attendees joining us for an illuminating evening.
Engaging Discussions and Special Guests
The audience was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and engage with Amanda Zurawski, who shared her insights and experiences after the film. Her presence brought a personal touch to the evening, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
Adding to the event's success, Astrid Ackerman from the Center for Reproductive Rights joined us virtually for an enlightening Q&A session. Her expertise added depth to the discussions, providing attendees with a broader understanding of the issues presented in the film.
Fundraising Success and Future Plans
Thanks to the generous support of our attendees, we raised over $1,500 for Whitney's Legacy. These funds will go towards supporting our ongoing efforts to promote awareness and advocate for reproductive rights.
Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the event, we are excited to announce a second screening of Zurawski v. Texas on April 27th at the Rome Capitol Theater. We invite everyone to join us again for another evening of engaging conversation and community support.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event a success. We look forward to seeing you at our next screening!
Peace in the Park - July 14, 2024
A Message from Sue Francisco:
“First Whitney’s Legacy event in the books. The weather was beautiful, the crowd was amazing, the door prizes were a hit ( thank you Spressos Coffeehouse for the gift cards. Also thank you Bridget Ball-Gurdo, Eileene Dillman and Cherokee Hunt for donations, set up and just plain being my rocks. Special thanks to Bianca DeLuco from Full Lotus Yoga and Wellness and Kabari Wellness Institute for the delicious smoothies. To the participants, you’re amazing! Thank you for helping keeping Whitney Grogan-Vega alive and not forgotten!”
Sea of Change - June to July 2024
Whitney’s Legacy at Franca - August 1, 2024
A Message from Carmela Heartsfield:
“I said we weren't going to be able to attend, although we had already decided we would, no matter what. Dadu & I managed to casually walk in, surprising Sue. We were totally taken aback by the packed restaurant. Rome had just been hit by a tornado. And even though the city was struggling from that devastation, these wonderful people still came out and supported. The venue, Franca's Roma, got hit hard yet showed no evidence as they dillegently worked to be open for Whitney's Legacy Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day Event. Thanks to the owner of the beautiful wine room, the staff, and the wonderful community of Rome for showing up! Kudos to all who donated, participated, and worked so hard to make this a successful event. I know Whitney was with us just as I know she is so very proud of her mother for taking on this battle. If you can afford to do so, please donate to Whitney's Legacy - thank you!”
Peace in the Park - September 15, 2024
A Message from Bridget Gurdo:
If you missed Peace in the Parker Whitney’s Legacy on Sept 15th, you surely missed out on a wonderful event. Bianca from Full Lotus Yoga volunteer her time as did Altano Music string quartet an Superofficial Cafe with their tea cart. It was a beautiful Sunday morning at Franklyn Field. Mats and blankets were spread out under the trees, and the love and support felt for Whitney and her legacy was overwhelming. The sound of the quartet coupled with Bianca’s soothing voice gave the morning a feeling of peace and tranquility. Whitney’s family, friends and some who had never met her certainly formed a strong bond, one based of our common belief in Whitney’s Legacy and its mission.
