Zackapalooza raises funds for kids’ safety

Posted October 02, 2012 2:26 pm

Helen Lucaitis submission

The family of Zachary Tran, in back, Alli, Michelle and Jayson Tran, and front, Livy and Becca Tran, host Zackapalooza to raise funds for the Zachary Tran Memorial Fund, which advocates safety measures in childrens goal posts and provides educational, athletic and artistic activities for children of limited opportunity. Courtesy of Helen Lucaitis

The family of Zachary Tran hosted Zackapalooza on Sept. 22 at the Vernon Hills Cougars Youth Athletics Association. Zachary was only 6 years old in 2003 when he tragically died after a soccer goal post fell on him.

His family established the Zachary Tran Memorial Fund in his name. Proceeds from Zackapalooza will go to the fund, which has crusaded to enhance goal-post safety and provides educational, athletic and artistic activities for children of limited opportunity. The event featured food, music, a silent auction and a raffle.

“We are so proud that in the last eight years we have given $80,000 to more than 2,100 kids,” Zachary’s mother Michelle Tran said. “We want to continue to give back to our local community as well as children all across the world. We want Zack’s spirit to live on.”

In August 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn signed “Zack’s law,” formally known as the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, as a result of the foundation’s efforts. The legislation requires all movable soccer goals manufactured and sold in Illinois to be properly anchored and tip resistant.

For more information about the memorial fund, visit zacktranfund.org.

Zacks mother, Michelle Tran and his grandmother Judy Klahn at Zackapalooza, which took place Sept. 22 at the VHCYAA Youth Athletic Center in Vernon Hills. Courtesy of Helen Lucaitis

Balloon artist Ryan Freeman performs at Zackapalooza. The event also featured food, music, a silent auction and a raffle. Courtesy of Helen Lucaitis

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