GIRARD — Sept. 14 will be the 20th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Lena Cross and her two sons — Mason Cross, 5, and Christian Pizzulo, 1 — who may be gone, but are not forgotten.

Cindy Michael, Christian’s grandmother, decided to make something positive from the tragic event and created the Lena Mason Christian Memorial Fund.

A benefit spaghetti dinner takes place on the Saturday before the Super Bowl to raise money for the fund. Held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall this year, nearly 200 family members, friends and community members attended the event.

Since 2006, with money raised from the dinner, the charity hosts a Kids Free Fun Day and Book Bag Giveaway every August at David Tod Memorial Park in Girard.

“The Fun Day is about community. We have given away thousands of backpacks and school supplies over the years,” said Ken MacPherson, Michael’s widower and Christian Pizzulo’s stepgrandfather.

Nikyi Kortes and Becky Killin were classmates of Lena Cross.They volunteered to work at the 50-50 raffle and basket raffle ticket table.

“It is great seeing everyone come together to support this event, but it’s sad that they are not here,” said Killin, referring to Cross and her young sons.

Jude and Cosmo Signoriello of Girard have supported the event every year except one when they helped a family member relocate out of state. They live a street away from where the tragedy occurred on Dearborn Street.

“It is great to keep their memory alive. What a wonderful lady and children. It reminds us every day that we are here, we are blessed,” Jude Signoriello said.

Cindy Michael died of cancer in December 2018 and this year’s benefit was also in her memory.

“This is a way to honor Cindy. She was a friend of mine. It is also a way to keep the word out about the kids and Lena. This is what Cindy would want,” said Jennefer Sweitzer. She has been a volunteer since the first spaghetti fundraiser.

Sweitzer’s daughter, Jade Sweitzer, also volunteered, serving salads and bread with her mom. She said Cindy was a positive influence on her.

Kortes added, “Cindy was like another mother to me.”

MacPherson continues to have the event with the aid of numerous volunteers, including family, friends, the plumbers and pipefitters union, Mahoning-Trumbull AFL / CIO Union Counselors, Girard Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2172 and Theresa Stevenson, who ran the sound system and played background music during the event.

Lou Chine of Austintown, a member of the AFL / CIO Union Counselors, made the pasta sauce for the dinner from a family recipe.

“My mom and I watched my grandma cook and I wrote it down to get the recipe,” Chine said.

Maria Diggs, president of the Union Counselors and a retired worker at the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services, worked at the beverage station with her daughter India.

“Cindy drew me in to help with this event and the book bag giveaway. I like to help anyone in need,” Maria Diggs said.

“I started volunteering at the fundraiser two years ago because I like to give back,” India Diggs said.

MacPherson continues to honor Lena, Mason and Christian plus his late wife, Cindy, with the spaghetti dinner and backpack giveaway.

“It is a beautiful thing that brings the community together,” MacPherson said of the dinner.