B-P hockey player's family makes 'meaning of this terrible tragedy' by helping other kids
REHOBOTH — “Our idea is connecting kids to the community. Dylan was a pretty vibrant participant in several communities. We saw how it helped him grow as a person,” said Cara Quinn about the nonprofit memorial fund she and her husband Michael started this past spring in honor of their son Dylan Quinn.
Dylan was an active athlete and outdoorsman who loved hockey, lacrosse, snowboarding and camping, to name a few activities.
“Dylan loved anything that involved adventure, risk, and allowed him to stretch the limits of his endurance,” his obituary said.
It was this activeness and sense of belonging Dylan experienced that his mother Cara said the Dylan Quinn Community Fund wants to help provide for kids in need.
“There are kids out there who don’t have access to those things. We want to help them make it to the next level of adulthood,” she said.
The goal of the fund is to connect kids to sports and other physical outlets they or their parents might not be able to afford.
Some of the causes the nonprofit has funded this year, Cara said, include sports gear and equipment for kids to play on teams and leagues, paying for a kid’s summer camp tuition, and even several college scholarships that are offered through Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School.
Cara Quinn said making this nonprofit “It really helped us with our grief and make some meaning of this terrible tragedy,” adding it helps with the healing “if I can make another child’s life a little bit better."
Taunton property tax hike Here's how much Taunton property tax bills are going up despite dropping rates. What to know
Heartbreaking loss
On the morning of Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, Dylan was in the passenger seat of his friend’s Mazda pickup truck on Myricks Street in Berkley when the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and tree. First responders found the truck flipped over on the road.
The driver was transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Dylan was rushed to Saint Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, where he was pronounced deceased.
After the incident, a massive outpouring across the region came to his family, especially the hockey community, of which Dylan was an enthusiastic member.
“We have gotten a lot of love and support,” said Cara, adding she’s grateful to family, friends and those who knew Dylan.
Unique sport This Taunton High athlete will compete in a unique sport in college
A junior at Bristol-Plymouth, Dylan was goalie for the Southeastern/B-P co-op hockey team.
Cara said he became interested in hockey at age 4 after watching the movie "Tooth Fairy", starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“He loved throwing his body around. The whole atmosphere. The fast pace. The high action. It was a natural fit for him. It was everything he wanted,” Cara said.
Testimonial earlier this year from those who knew Dylan remarked he was fun-loving, funny, friendly and very sociable.
At B-P, Dylan was studying metal fabrication as a career direction, though his mother said he was considering going to college.
“Losing a child is a life-long loss. He is supposed to be here. We’ll always be sitting with that, wondering what he would be doing,” Cara said.
Nearby church had to move Clean up after massive spill at Taunton gas station 'could go on for years.' What we know.
Expression of love
The family has a strong feeling of loyalty towards youth hockey because of how important it was to Dylan and is currently to younger son Connor.
“It’s a pretty supportive community,” Cara said.
You get to know many kids and their parents over the seasons, Cara said.
“I appreciated its consistency. By the end of the season, I get to know you. And the kids are together and share in all these milestones,” she said.
Southcoast Ball Hockey chosen for first Community Impact Award
The Dylan Quinn Community Fund is slated to give out its first annual Community Impact Award to the Southcoast Ball Hockey Association, otherwise known as the Fall River Dek Hockey Association.
Cara Quinn explained the work and mission of the association “is the epitome of what this award is about.”
“As a parent watching kids play sports, you see these organizations are all about the kids,” said Quinn, adding that Southcoast Ball Hockey “go above and beyond,” ensure that all kids “get equal playing time” and “are a really dedicated group” to offering kids as much athletic fun as possible.
The Community Impact Award will be given to Southcoast Ball Hockey Association on Tuesday, Dec. 12, during the 8th annual Lorraine Correira Christmas Toy Drive in Swansea, taking place at 566 Wilbur Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m.
Quinn said in future years the nonprofit will solicit nominations for the Community Impact Award.
Quinn added there are plans for new fundraisers, including a comedy showcase taking place March 8 at White’s of Westport, 66 State Road in Westport.
People wishing to donate to the Dylan Quinn Community Fund can find information on its website.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Family of B-P hockey player killed in crash starts memorial fund
