This past summer, the DiRienzo family of Fishers had the unthinkable happen to them. Jocelyn DiRienzo worked a part-time job while her two sons, Dominic and Anthony, played at a licensed in-home daycare. The details of what happened that unforgettable summer day are not being released and are not the focus of this article, but the DiRienzo family’s life changed forever when their son, Anthony, tragically died while at the in-home licensed daycare.
The void in their hearts and lives can never be filled, but Jocelyn and her family want to honor Anthony in the truest form of his character. Anthony and Dominic loved to play on the playground at New Hope Presbyterian Church and Preschool after being released from school or after a MOPS meeting held at the building. So in his honor, the DiRienzo family would like to upgrade the 10 year old playground area at New Hope to keep these memories alive and to provide years of safe play for the students that attend New Hope.
Anthony was 21 months old when he passed away. He would have attended New Hope this fall following in his older brother’s footsteps who is currently a student there. Donations are being accepted to help get the playground up and running. Currently they have raised over $22,000 of the minimum $40,000 it will take to put in commercial grade playground equipment.
If you would like to help honor Anthony, visit egsnetwork.com/gift2?giftid=28583F5A745240D to donate money or visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/Anthonysawesomeplayground/.
They also have a website they are just now launching anthonysawesomeplayground.com. Donations will be accepted through 2014. All donations are tax deductible! If you have any questions, email Jocelyn or Danny at AnthonysAwesomePlayground@yahoo.com.
