About Us

Who we are:

The Team Sam Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was created by Janelle and Berine Martinez, from Diana, TX, after losing their 10 month old son, Samuel Martinez, to medical complications. The foundation aims to help families that are dealing with the loss of a child or a medically fragile child. The 3rd Annual Team Sam event is set for June 7th. This event helps raise money for the yearly project that Team Sam does to help the community. There are also tons of free activities for children, such as face painting and jump houses, as well as an auction. In 2019, as a result of the Team Sam Foundation fundraiser, East Texas Hospitals benefitted from the donation of two Cuddle Cots, which are cooling devices that are used to slow down the process of tissue breakdown following death, to local hospitals. This allows extra time for the family to not only hold their child, love on their child, but the time to say goodbye.  This year, Team Sam has chosen to create and donate "Love Cash" boxes to local emergency departments. Team Sam was inspired to create these boxes after hearing the story of a family who had lost their child and left the ER empty handed with no idea of what to do next.  The memory boxes are keepsakes for the family which include supplies to create molds of the hands and feet of their child and save a lock of hair, as well  as a devotional about grief, an angel necklace, and other resources for the family.  Team Sam also awards an annual scholarship to a local New Diana student, who exemplifies the strength and character of Sam.  Eventually, the foundation plans to create a national hotline as a resource for families with children in the hospital, where parents can call with questions or in need of support. 

Background:

Samuel James Elliott Martinez was born August 15th,

2016. His entry into this world was a difficult

one; we were informed that there were

some unanswered questions about Sam. He

was born hearing impaired and we soon

learned that he was legally blind. He had

microphthalmia in his right eye, which never

opened. He was struggling to breathe on his

own and getting him to eat a full meal proved to be another summit to climb.  Nonetheless, our  

absolutely adorable little boy had such a strong spirit!

Janelle and I and the kiddos were like  

“ok, no problem. Let’s just love SAM 

whatever the challenges”. We loved Sam

and all of our friends and family and the entire

community of Diana and abroad did, as well.

His life had many peaks and valleys and was

reminder to us all that our God is mighty and

Sam was never alone. This journey we all had

with Sam had different meanings for each and

every one of us. Sam showed us how to fight

and how to smile when times are rough. Sam

made it hard for us to complain. Sam

challenged his healthcare providers and, in the

process, inspired them to dig deeper, ask

questions, and search for the best care for him.

Sam allowed us to see a world that we would

have otherwise not seen. We had to say

goodbye to Sam on June 19, 2017. As the time has

passed, we've missed him dearly but also have

been able to reflect on our experience.  With time, 

we have  realized that SAM’s life was about more

 than the short time he was her with us or the grief 

we experienced.  Sam's life is our doorway to helping others who are going through similar situations.  God has allowed us to be His stewards and be the hands and feet to make a difference for others.