Dennispalooza

It’s been just over two years now since we lost our buddy Dennis. It’s quite the experience losing a friend, particularly so young. It leaves a hole where something was, there is no doubt about that. No more unsolicited (likely inappropriate) memes, no more adventures to the middle of the woods, no more last minute mechanical repair sessions in the garage so we can take the party barge out for a spin. So much is lost when you lose a friend, especially one like Dennis. But so much can be found in that loss. Purpose for one, guidance another. A person like Dennis leaves behind a legacy and a tangible spirit. A legacy of relentless optimism, of compassion and that childlike spirit. 

For me, I often use Dennis as a reference point for who I strive to be. I remember that unwavering optimism, the way he was always willing to help someone in need (even if he was laughing at them while he was helping), his perspective, his creativity and resourceful ingenuity. All are things that inspire me, all of the time. He’s given me reason to pursue certain endeavors and the motivation to see them through. It’s cliché to say of course, but I truly believe that he’s with me, his family and our friends, all of the time. If we allow that spirit to guide us and for his a life to be an example, the loss of our friend, brother and son could never be in vain.

When Dennis passed, my friends and I set out to help the Vaccaro family in a time of great stress. We got together and set up a GoFundMe with the aim of alleviating the cost of such tragedy. The response from the community was truly unbelievable. We far exceeded the established goal of our endeavor and decided to establish a foundation in honor of Dennis. 

The Dennis Vaccaro Foundation was established in Dennis’ honor shortly thereafter. The Vaccaro family has since been operating the foundation with the mission of supporting various veteran related initiatives as well as supporting the sharing network. An organization that facilitates in vital organ donation and transplants. Dennis himself was an organ donor responsible for providing healthy organs to not one, but four eligible recipients after his passing. The foundation has already supported various initiatives and hosted multiple fundraising events. this year the foundation hosted its second annual Memorial Day run in Dennis’ honor, a huge success that will continue annually.

Now, my friends and I have had an ambitious plot from the very beginning. A plan that the Vaccaro family has since given myself and my friends the blessing to pursue in conjunction with the Dennis a. Vaccaro Foundation. 

Dennis was a big fan of festivals and music. He also took great pleasure in the ridiculous. We thought about what might encapsulate those interests and his spirit ultimately coming up with what we’ve since then referred to as Dennispalooza. 

Dennispalooza, in theory, is a tent pole event for the Dennis Vaccaro Foundation. The big shebang if you will. It will be a one night event (hopefully annual) in the style of a festival or fair. All the usual suspects would be incorporated.. carnival rides, games, food & drinks etc. But this event would be uniquely Dennis. Incorporating additional components such as a headline musical act (someone sick of course), quirky and eccentric entertainment (think midget wrestling or demolition derby) and a strongman contest to name a few. We’ve got a few other ideas and tricks up our sleeves but we’ll keep those to ourselves for now. The mission of this event is to raise money to support the Dennis Vaccaro Foundation and further its initiatives.

The vision for Dennispalooza comes effortlessly. The pathway to execution on the other hand, requires much effort. When we got together to lay the groundwork for a plan of attack we acknowledged the scope of our plans. A scope beyond what we and the foundation currently have the means to support. Though this did not deter us; it only fueled our enthusiasm. It means the vision is something worthy of Dennis. If we’re going to do this thing, we want to realize that vision to its fullest potential. 

We set out thinking of creative ways to execute. I had the idea of running the NYC marathon as a means of raising some of the necessary money to execute our plan. I then did not get into the marathon. But that led to a different idea, then we put our heads together, which led to a different idea which led us to where we are now.. to project palooza.

Hopefully, we can get some steam behind this thing and garner the resources necessary to further our vision, to see Dennispalooza come to life. All money raised will be directed to the Dennis a. Vaccaro Foundation and used to facilitate the execution of Dennispalooza. So if you’d like to support you can donate, follow along or spread the word.

Thank you to everyone who even took the time to read this and thank you in advance to anyone who supports the project and the Dennis A. Vaccaro Foundation. 

See you all at Dennispalooza !