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Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who overcame resistance to reshape the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at 88.
by Danner Evans
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LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Cash Gaudio's personality could light up a room. Friends and family say he loved God and was bold in his faith, always willing to help others.
However, on September 30, 2024, Lynchburg police say Nathaniel Pridemore shot and killed the 19-year-old in his front yard. They also believe Pridemore also shot and killed Christina Hamilton, the mother of his child; police still haven't revealed a motive.
RELATED: A shining light gone too soon: Remembering 19-year-old Cash Gaudio
As they move through the seasons of their grief, Cash's family wants to make sure his legacy lives on.
Cash's parents, Micah Gaudio and Shannon Meyers, and his sister McKenna-Kate Gaudio established the Live Like Cash Gaudio Foundation to provide scholarships to student athletes who share his values.
"I don't know how anyone could forget him," Meyers said. "But we're going to make sure of it."
"We needed to do something to occupy ourselves and feel like we weren't helpless and sitting around and letting this happen to us," McKenna-Kate Gaudio explained. "Letting his murder just happen to us."
"I'm just humbled by the community support," Gaudio said. "It means a lot and we just want to help his memory live on, help as many people as possible and turn the tragedy into something good."
The first recipient is Mark Spain's son Max.
Meyers made the call to Spain's widow, Lynita.
"I explained what we were doing and how we wanted to help Max, and for a second there was silence on the phone," Meyers said. "And then crying, and then I was crying."
"I was totally taken aback and floored by what they wanted to do," Lynita Spain recalled.
Less than two months after Mark Spain stood at the anchor desk reporting on Cash's murder, Mark lost his own battle with cancer.
Now the two families are forever connected.
"Seeing what an integral part of the community he was and the impact his death had, and also seeing it with my brother, it means a lot to see the connection and support for both families," McKenna-Kate Gaudio said.
Two families who experienced two very different traumas are now brought together moving forward.
"The community is hurting from both of these losses greatly, and so close together. It just made sense," Meyers said.
"I feel very honored to be the first to have this happen," Max Spain said. "I really thank them for it. It's such an honor. I have no words for it. "
"What a wonderful fit. What a wonderful family. What a wonderful way to take a tragedy and turn it into something positive," Micah Gaudio said.
Friends and family already helped raise money through the Gears for Gaudio car show earlier this year.
RELATED:Community honors memory of Cash Gaudio with car show fundraiser
There's a golf tournament coming up on May 20, 2025, at London Downs to help raise money for the Live Like Cash Gaudio Foundation. They're looking for sponsors right now for the Swing for Cash Golf Classic.
If you'd like to help sponsor or volunteer, click here.
Nathanial Pridemore is facing a slew of charges, including second-degree murder for the death of Cash. He's due in court on April 29, 2025, for a preliminary hearing.
So far, he has not been charged with Christina Hamilton's death.
