Photo: Courtesy of the Dillon family.
CHELMSFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — In the wake of tragedy, one community is coming together to remember the bright spirit of a toddler lost to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) late last year. Junie's Place is a proposed play area to be constructed at Friendship Park at Roberts Field in Chelmsford in honor of Juniper "Junie" Dillon bringing joy to other children.
Her family aims to fund $145,000 for the park's development. At of the time of posting, over $62,000 has been raised with 30 Chelmsford business signed on, pledging to join a collaborative effort called "Junie's Joy Fundraiser," that runs from June 16 to June 30. WBZ's Shari Small spoke to Junie's mother, Kristen Dillon.
"How does a healthy two-and-a-half-year-old go to bed and just not wake up? I had never even heard of this, we have heard of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but we don't hear about SUDC. One of the things that is just so important for me at this point is to honor her and continue to keep her spirit alive," Dillon said.
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Photo: Courtesy of the Dillon family.
According to the fundraising page on Friends of Roberts Field, Junie's Place will have an inclusive design for two to five-year-old children and their loved ones in mind. Dillon says Friendship Park is the perfect spot for Junie's Place as it was Junie's favorite place to play.
"It's my new mission in life," Dillon said.
The following businesses have signed on as sponsors so far:
- Acro Yoga with Morgan
- Acton-Boxborough (AB) Dance Center
- Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant (Chelmsford)
- Chelmsford Girls Softball League
- Country Creamery and Coffeehouse
- Cre8tive Cakes
- CrossFit 100
- Farmhouse Photography
- Graze Chelmsford
- H.E. Flora
- KJ’s Caffe
- KS Gotta Dance
- Little Gym of Littleton
- Lyon-Waugh Auto Group
- Maggie’s Other Farm
- MOOYAH
- Old Mill House Coffee
- Om Central Studio
- Panera Bread (Chelmsford)
- Planet Dance and Fitness
- Pure Barre (Westford)
- Sport Loft Ski & Snowboard Shop
- Surfside Pool Co.
- Teal Hair and Makeup Studio
- The Druzy Rose
- The Establishment Restaurant
- The Mom Squad
- WECO Hospitality
As for promotional partners, the following businesses are involved:
- Flying Change Stables
- Littletown Coffee Co.
- Summer Street Grocers
- Tiny Tile Mosaics
The schedule for fundraising efforts is as follows:
Photo: Courtesy of the Dillon family.
Fundraising efforts are expected to run through January of 2024, with a projected opening later that summer.
WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
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