Rochester City School District Donation
In January of 2026, we donated hats, gloves, socks, and three coats to a Rochester City School District elementary charter school for its winter coat
January 28, 2026
The foundation began to carry on the life and work of Maria Jane Turco-McArdle (1991-2021). The four heartbeats of the Mimi Fly are love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment, which carry forward the legacy of Maria through distinctive community support. We spread empathy through education and healing from loss, grief, and trauma, encourage high-school youth with college scholarships to embody values which promote love for those around them, empower therapeutic programs for people facing adversity, and help individuals in our community meet their basic needs through charitable acts.
Mimi's Light celebrates the life of Maria through inviting our community to join us each Spring at the Cobblestone Arts Center to enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live music, painting, drumming, and other entertainment. Please contact us directly for information on sponsorships and partnering. See you in April!
In partnership with with Cobblestone Arts Center, we established and maintain a community garden to promote a therapeutic connection to nature especially for those with physical and developmental challenges. We engage youth in connecting to nature through the cultivation of flowers, herbs, and vegetables!
Every year Mimi's Light provides a monetary award to a deserving senior at Penfield High School, Maria's alma mater. All graduating seniors who exemplify the values of love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment are eleigible. For more information on how to apply, please see our application portal below.
Every year Mimi’s Light provides a monetary award to a deserving senior at Penfield High School, Maria’s alma mater. All graduating seniors who exemplify the values of love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment are eleigible. For more information on how to apply, please see our application portal below.
Mimi’s Light celebrates the life of Maria through inviting our community to join us each Spring at the Cobblestone Arts Center to enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live music, painting, drumming, and other entertainment. Please contact us directly for information on sponsorships and partnering. See you in April!
In partnership with with Cobblestone Arts Center, we established and maintain a community garden to promote a therapeutic connection to nature especially for those with physical and developmental challenges. We engage youth in connecting to nature through the cultivation of flowers, herbs, and vegetables!
The foundation began to carry on the life and work of Maria Jane Turco-McArdle (1991-2021). The four heartbeats of the Mimi Fly are love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment, which carry forward the legacy of Maria through distinctive community support. We spread empathy through education and healing from loss, grief, and trauma, encourage high-school youth with college scholarships to embody values which promote love for those around them, empower therapeutic programs for people facing adversity, and help individuals in our community meet their basic needs through charitable acts.
No matter what LOVE looks like, it comes in all shapes and sizes, it doesn’t matter who it’s with, everyone deserves it.
– Maria (Mimi) Turco-McArdle
We are Mimi’s Light, founded to continue the legacy of Maria Jane Turco-McArdle (1991–2021) under the guiding values of love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment.
The foundation delivers community support through education on empathy and healing, college scholarships for youth, therapeutic programs, and charitable aid for basic needs.
This mission sustains Maria’s legacy by cultivating compassion, empowering individuals through education and healing, and meeting essential human needs amid adversity.
Stay up to date on all of our recent work, upcoming events, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities by subscribing to the Mimi’s Light Newsletter.
Submit a volunteer application form to begin serving alongside us and stay up to date on all of our activities!
In January of 2026, we donated hats, gloves, socks, and three coats to a Rochester City School District elementary charter school for its winter coat
In December of 2025, we contributed $200 to Foodlink via the Tops Little Brown Bag of Hope program to support food-insecure families. Additionally, we delivered
MIMIFEST 2025 WAS A SUCCESS ! This year’s Mimifest was held at Cobblestone Art Center on April 26. The focus this year was on wellness,
Today Mimi’s Light was fortunate to assist in providing a little cheer and comfort to thirty patients spending their holidays in the hospital fighting cancer.
A big thank you for everyone who helped put this year’s fundraising event together and for all those that attended…we enjoyed wellness vendors, artists, food
We are excited to announce that the 2024 garden is underway! It was designed last year by Mike Turco (Maria’s dad) and was built by
Mimi’s Light celebrates the life of Maria through inviting our community to join us each Spring at the Cobblestone Arts Center to enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live music, painting, drumming, and other entertainment. Please contact us directly for information on sponsorships and partnering. See you on June 13, 2026
