Scholarships
&
Grants
Livvy’s Light & Legacy is dedicated to fostering educational growth and athletic excellence through scholarships, STEM initiatives, music enrichment, and sports initiatives with an emphasis on Lacrosse. The organization proudly supports Chiari Malformation research, the Gift of Life program, animal welfare, and other causes that resonated with Olivia.
Our mission is to empower the next generation to pursue their passions with the same curiosity and confidence that Olivia exemplified. We invite you to celebrate her enduring legacy of strength, talent, resilience, and musicality. Together, we can illuminate the path for today’s youth towards a bright and prosperous future.
Educational Scholarships
Johnson City High School will honor Olivia’s legacy with three Memorial Scholarships. Two $1000 scholarships will recognize graduating male and female students who excel in STEM and music, while a third $1000 scholarship will support a graduating female lacrosse athlete.
A contribution was made to the Johnson City Middle School and High School 8th and 12th grade classes for end-of-year activities.
Girls Who Code Club has honored Olivia's memory by presenting the Olivia Marie Hill Award to a graduating student from the Fall and Spring programs who exemplified Olivia's characteristics. This award includes a $250 gift geared toward STEM purchases. We have also provided and will continue a direct donation to this program.
Contribution have been made to the Alexander J Wetzel Memorial Scholarship Fund that provides a $500 scholarship to Binghamton High School graduation senior.
Music Enrichment
Generous donations have been made to the Johnson City Music Booster Club in Olivia's Memory. We plan to continue donations to this program and similar ones.
Athletic Donations
Support for women's athletics continues to grow with generous contributions to the Johnson City Girls Lacrosse Team and the U.S. Women's Amputee Soccer Team. Efforts remain ongoing to provide funding for similar programs, fostering opportunities for athletes across various disciplines.
Olivia’s Story: The Cost of Healing
At just over a year old, Olivia was diagnosed with Chiari I Malformation, a neurological condition caused by structural defects in the skull and brain. A second diagnosis soon followed: Syringomyelia, where a fluid-filled cyst forms within the spinal cord, often requiring surgical intervention to prevent serious complications.
Olivia’s journey was full of bravery. She underwent her first brain surgery in 2022 with incredible courage and a smile that warmed every room. She told nurses her brain had been “unzipped and fixed,” and drew rainbows to thank her doctors. Her recovery was slow but full of hope.
But healing came with a heavy cost.
Her family faced travel to a specialized hospital over three hours away from their home in New York, unpaid time off work, hotel stays, meals, parking fees, and mounting medical bills—expenses insurance didn’t cover. Like so many families, they had to make impossible choices during the most vulnerable time of their lives.
In 2023, Olivia required a second surgery. After a valiant nine-day fight on life support, she passed away on August 27, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of strength, light, and love.
Livvy’s Light & Legacy: Application for Assistance
In honor of Olivia, Livvy’s Light & Legacy was founded to provide financial relief to families of children facing similar diagnoses and treatments. We understand the overwhelming challenges that come with complex neurological conditions—and we’re here to help.
Who is eligible?
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Families with a child (under 18) diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, Syringomyelia, or a related condition
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Must be a resident of New York or Pennsylvania
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One application allowed per calendar year
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Grants provide up to one month of support for eligible expenses
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Incomplete applications will not be considered
What can grants help with?
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Travel and lodging expenses for out-of-area treatment
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Medical bills not covered by insurance
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Childcare
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Prescription costs
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Meals
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Housing and Utilities
How to apply:
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Complete the online application form
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Upload all required documentation
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Submit before the last day of the month for consideration in the following month.
All applications are reviewed on monthly basis by our Board of Directors and awarded based on need and available funding.
You are not alone.
We are here to walk this road with you. Olivia’s story is a reminder of how much love, courage, and community can carry us through. If your family is in need of support during this difficult journey, we encourage you to apply.
*Neither you nor your child will be denied assistance or treated unfairly based on age, religion, race, gender, or political affiliation. Livvy's Light & Legacy uses the information provided solely to fulfill its mission as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.