Family Fun Day to Benefit DJ Dream Fund

Submitted to Easton Patch:

About 18 months after the tragic death of Danroy Henry, Jr. (DJ), the outpouring of community support continues in a big way with a Family Fun Day planned at in South Easton, Mass., on Saturday, May 19, 2012.  Maplewood is preparing a full slate of activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its 30-acre site on 150 Foundry St. (Route 106).  Tickets for the event are $10 per individual or $30 per family of up to six members.  All proceeds will go toward scholarships that will help students in need go to wellness programs, play on a sports team, or attend summer camp.

“It’s important that DJ’s legacy lives on, and we are very grateful to the owners of Maplewood for opening their facility and their hearts to us,” says DJ’s father, Danroy Henry, Sr. of Easton. “Thanks to them and the generosity of many others, dreams will come true for many deserving students.”

DJ was a star athlete at Oliver Ames High School in Easton.  The 20-year-old also played football as a junior at Pace University in New York.

Following DJ’s death, his parents, Danroy and Angela, set up a scholarship fund in his honor. The community has since rallied its support with the help of partner organizations like Maplewood, Good Sports, Jonathan Cowher, Johnny Cupcakes, and Bright Horizons.

According to Lee Pinstein, co-director of Maplewood with his sister Susan Reardon, Maplewood previously awarded two DJ Dream Fund scholarships for youngsters to attend their camp, and they are pleased to award two additional scholarships.  Candidates are nominated by elementary and middle schools in Easton.

Activities planned for the Family Fun Day include boating, rock climbing, gymnastics, face painting, a football obstacle course, a basketball tournament, field sports, moonwalks, zumba, and lunch. All activities will be included with the price of one admission and Maplewood’s staff will be on site to provide instruction and supervision.

Maplewood’s owners and members of the Henry family will be present at the event.  “We are excited to meet with people in the community.  The more people get involved, the closer we are to reaching our goals,” says Angela. “This is another great way to keep DJ’s memory alive.”

To date, the DJ Dream Fund has awarded 250 scholarships, and the Henry family hopes to award another 250 this year. 

To register for the Family Fun Day or obtain more information about the DJ Dream Fund, please visit www.djdreamfund.org.