3 Years After Mark And Jacob Iskander's Death, Their Family Plans New Philanthropic Effort

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — As the three-year anniversary of the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander nears, their family is asking for help launching a new effort to remember the boys' lives and give back to the community.

The family's nonprofit, the Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation, recently announced plans to create a new agency meant to serve the needs of foster children and their families.

As part of the fundraising effort, a remembrance Walk For Mark and Jacob Iskander will be held in Westlake Village on Sept. 29. The date marks three years since Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, were fatally struck in a crosswalk by a car driven by Rebecca Grossman, who is awaiting trial on murder charges for the collision.

Find details about how to participate or donate below.

The foster agency

The Iskander Foundation has partnered with The Good Shepherd Foster Family Services Agency to expand the agency's services in Ventura County. The goal is to create an agency in the Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks area that will provide education, clothing, car seats, formula and other resources to foster children and their families, according to a statement from the boys' mother, Nancy Iskander.

"Ever since our tremendous loss, the Iskander family dream has been to serve children in the name of our boys," Iskander said. "Because of Mark and Jacob more of God’s children in Ventura will have a home."

The family says it plans to open the agency by the end of 2023.

A GoFundme has been created for the agency fundraising with a goal of $50,000. The family plans to match donations up to $20,000, according to the page.

The Walk For Mark and Jacob Iskander

In an effort to mark the anniversary of the boys' death, assist in the fundraising effort and promote safe driving, the Walk for Mark and Jacob Iskander is planned for Friday, Sept. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a message of "slow down and save lives."

The walk will begin at Three Springs Park at 3000 Three Springs Drive in Westlake Village, where the boys used to play. Community members will walk from the park to the site of the 2020 crash, pause, and return to the park for prayer.

The family has requested that any items at the crash site be unused items that can be used to help children in foster care.

In addition to the GoFundMe, donors have other options for supporting the foster agency effort:

• Donors who give $25 get a hat or t-shirt
• Donors who give $30 receive a free 20-inch pizza from Slicehouse Thousand Oaks.
• Donors also have the option to buy or donate a pizza to first responders and the hungry. Slicehouse is donating the first 100 pizzas for the effort.

You can learn more and sign up for the walk here.

In addition to the support from Slicehouse, Eastwind Screenprint and Nix Collection, the Iskanders have other sponsorship opportunities available, which you can inquire about by emailing info@justiceformarkandjacob.com.