/EINPresswire.com/ The parents of Zachary Tran, a Vernon Hills boy who was killed when an unsecured soccer goal tipped over, will honor their son’s birthday with a party for other children on Saturday. “Zach’s Law,” Illinois’ new soccer goal safety law, was named after Zachary Tran.
Had Zachary Tran been alive, he would have celebrated his 15th birthday this week.
Instead, the Vernon Hills boy’s life was cut short when an unsecured soccer goal fell on him when he was just six years old. A new state soccer goal safety law was named after Zack, thanks to a decade of tireless work by his parents.
And now, Zack’s family will honor his life by giving a party to 137 children in an event called, Zack Tran’s 15th Birthday Bash. The children are part of Aprendiendo Jugando, an after school program for minority Hispanic children in grades 1-5 at Hawthorn Elementary School in Vernon Hills. The event will be held at Party Fantasy, 342 Townline Rd, in Mundelein, IL, which will provide bouncy houses, dancing, rock climbing and indoor go carts for the children.
“During his short life, Zack lived each day with energy and especially enjoyed his birthday celebrations,” said Michelle Tran, Zack’s mother. “It is our wish in Zack’s memory to provide children with countless smiles and laughs during the ‘Birthday Bash’,” she added.
Malerie Cope, general manager of Party Fantasy, which is helping to provide the party, says the decision to help was easy. “The story is heartbreaking to say the least, and anyway that we could help Michelle and her family, we wanted to. Michelle Tran’s strength is very apparent and I think it’s so fantastic what she’s doing for other children in Zack’s memory,” Cope said.
The children and their families will also receive free picture portraits by Get Flipped! Chicago. Zack’s relatives and friends will also volunteer their time to make the party memorable for each child attending.
Each year, Zack’s family, who founded the Zachary Tran Memorial Fund, partners with a different local organization to celebrate Zack’s birthday. The Tran family also founded Anchored for Safety, a non-profit organization, which provides comprehensive information on the dangers of unsecured soccer goals; safety guides; and a list of goal-related deaths and injuries. It also tracks state legislative efforts to regulate movable soccer goals.
The Zachary Tran Memorial Fund provides youth access to worthwhile educational, athletic and artistic activities in our community for children whose opportunities are limited. In memory of Zachary Tran, the Fund delivers an avenue for young people to experience and participate in many of life’s offerings. In addition, the Fund will advance the education of the general public on the dangers of unanchored soccer goals and promote overall soccer goal safety. The Zachary Tran Fund intends to better some lives, make a noticeable difference, and increase the overall quality of life in our community, now and in the future.
The Zachary Tran Memorial Fund is a not-for-profit organization (tax exempt EID: 75-3131436). Donations to the fund is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law under I.R.S. section 501(c)(3).
Helen Lucaitis
312-550-2077
PR Courtesy of Online PR Media