Love Like Chris Day
A day centered on acts of kindness, service, giving, and sharing the hashtag Chris's Love Wall.
Details coming soonA legacy of love, generosity & action
Love Like
Chris.
The Chris Carnero Foundation carries forward the kindness, joy, generosity, and unforgettable spirit Chris shared with the world.
Chris's Love Wall
“
His love keeps moving through the world.
Meet Chris
“He never once dwelt on the shadows; he only ever looked for the light.”
Chris Carnero was a fierce protector, a beacon of joy, and a boy who famously had over 50 “best friends.”
Though his story began with unimaginable hardship, he refused to let his beginnings define his spirit. Chris came to his forever family at just four months old, and his adoption was joyfully finalized when he was four. Born with drugs and alcohol in his system, he faced immense early hurdles—a severely compromised immune system that required tireless work to rebuild and physical tolls like gum decay that lasted for his first seven years.
Yet, Chris never once acknowledged the bad. He looked only for the best case in every single way. He made it his life's mission to ensure no one ever felt left out. Whether he was sitting next to a lonely classmate, standing up to bullies, or handing out presents during the holidays, his heart was a safe haven. To Chris, no one was a stranger. He had an incredible ability to make people feel safe, seen, and important, giving his friendship so freely that everyone who met him felt like his favorite person.
The Boy Behind the Legacy
Chris was entirely and unapologetically himself. From the time he was tiny, he possessed a bold, unique fashion sense, wearing his bright pink shorts with absolute pride and confidently rocking whatever outfit he deemed great. That same fearless confidence extended to how he tackled life's obstacles. When faced with severe dyslexia, he conquered it through years of hard work, and immediately began spending his school lunches reading to younger children so he could pull them forward with him.
He was an adventurer who dreamed of becoming a pilot, fascinated by the air race planes and airplanes that spun and dove through the skies. His heart was always geared toward giving, from packing the absolute “best snacks” for Thanksgiving food drives to secretly stocking his home bathroom with toiletries so friends could take what they needed without asking.
Tragically lost at 13 while offering a safe place to a friend in need, his final heroic act on earth was saving 18 lives through organ donation.
Memories
A life full of moments worth remembering.
A glimpse of the adventures, laughter, family, friends and everyday moments that made Chris, Chris.
Chris's Love Wall
Turn his example into action.
Notice someone. Include someone. Do something kind — then pass it on. The Love Wall gives those acts of kindness a place to grow.
Visit Chris's Love Wall →Chris’s Impact
The good keeps moving.
A snapshot of the scholarships, service and opportunities already created in Chris’s honor.
18
Lives helped or changed
Chris's organ donation legacy continues to make a profound difference.
Explore the story → Legacy FundLove Like Chris Legacy Fund
Created through the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to respond to needs and keep Chris's giving spirit moving.
Explore the story → NMSULove Like Chris Carnero Scholarship
An official New Mexico State University Foundation scholarship supporting future social workers who want to create positive change.
Explore the story → Nearly 7,000Stuffed animals collected
Enough were donated in Chris's honor to share with children at both children's hospitals in El Paso.
Explore the story → 70+Children celebrated
Chris Carnero Days in Rio de Janeiro have brought joy and memorable experiences to children.
Explore the story → Ages 13–16Aviation scholarship
Chris dreamed of flying. A scholarship in his name now gives other young people a chance to discover aviation for themselves.
Explore the story → 1Star in Hercules
Chris was honored with a star in the Hercules constellation — a tribute to strength and heroism.
Explore the story → 1,000+Backpacks donated
School supplies and backpacks have been placed into the hands of children who needed them.
Explore the story → CharacterLove Like Chris Award
Chris's school recognizes students who demonstrate the kindness and character that made him so special.
Explore the story → 13+Trees planted in Ireland
Thirteen trees have been planted in Chris's honor in Ireland, with another planted each year to continue his legacy.
Explore the story → 300+Books donated worldwide
More than 300 books have been donated to libraries around the world in Chris's name, sharing his legacy across borders.
Explore the story → 200+Dyslexia books & school items
Two hundred dyslexia-focused books and school items were donated in Spain in Chris's honor, helping support children and learning.
Explore the story →
Chris's Law
Turning heartbreak into meaningful change.
Follow the progress of Chris's Law as Chris's family works to turn his story into meaningful change.
Updates will be shared as they are confirmed
Chris's family is working toward legislation inspired by his story. Follow Chris's Law for verified updates, important developments, and ways to take action as the effort moves forward.
Events
Gather. Give. Remember.
Upcoming gatherings, drives and community projects in Chris's name will be posted here as details are confirmed.
Mall-O-Ween
Free Halloween fun at Las Cruces Mall with a costume contest, haunted house, live DJ, giveaways, food and trick-or-treating vendors.
View event → VolunteerI'd Love to Help
From setting up and handing out items to donation drives and community events, every helping hand matters.
Join the volunteer list →News & Stories
Chris's story, preserved.
A permanent home for journalism, interviews and milestones connected to Chris and the Foundation.
Featured Story · Las Cruces Bulletin
Choosing to Love Like Chris
A deeply personal look at Chris's instinct to include and care for others, and at the many ways his family is transforming grief into kindness, scholarships, service, opportunity and change.
Read the full story →Get Involved
Choose how you want to be part of it.
Why We Show Up
Love like Chris.
Chris had a way of making people feel seen, included, and loved. Getting involved means carrying that spirit forward—showing up for others, giving what you can, and helping turn Chris’s legacy into something that continues to make a difference.
01
Give
Support scholarships, service projects, events, and future foundation programs.
02Volunteer
Help with donation drives, events, kindness projects, and community outreach.
03Love Like Chris
Do something kind and share it using Chris's Love Wall.
04Take Action
Support future advocacy efforts and help bring meaningful change to the community.
Stay Connected
Stay connected.
Follow along, stay connected, and help us carry Chris's legacy forward.
The Chris Carnero Foundation
Stay connected and follow the journey of Chris's Love Wall.