Where Angels Play Foundation

Born out of tragedy, the Where Angels Play Foundation has constructed legacy playgrounds to honor young lives taken too soon. Angels from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, and countless others have been celebrated with playgrounds that reflect their personality and influence in the community. After building more than 70 playgrounds across the country, Canada, Puerto Rico and Rwanda, Africa, Where Angels Play has chosen Apshawa Elementary School in West Milford, NJ to celebrate the life of Julian Wilder Brinx.

Julian was a beloved student of Apshawa Elementary School and is missed by so many of his fellow schoolmates, Apshawa staff, and community. His story was brought to us by his connection with some members of our Angels Army of volunteers. The playground will reflect Julian’s likes and personality and will serve as a living memorial at his school so it can be enjoyed by the students in West Milford for generations to come.

Location:

Apshawa Elementary School – 140 High Crest Drive West Milford, NJ 07480

**For Immediate Release**

Where Angels Play Foundation will be building a custom, state-of-the-art, handicapped accessible playground to celebrate of life of Kyle Roland Mumford. The playground was originally slated to be built at Kyle’s school, St. John Vianney’s in Colonia, NJ. However, due to the recent nature of an email by Father John, it has come abundantly clear that not only are they unwilling to assist in the project, but have stated that they have other priorities that are more “pressing” than a new playground.

We look forward to finding a home for Kyle’s Playground, within Woodbridge Township, that will be both enjoyed by Kyle’s family and friends, and appreciated by the community in which it is built.

All funds donated to Kyle’s GoFundMe page are submitted directly to Where Angels Play Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and will be ear marked towards this project specifically. This project has not and will not have any affiliation with St. John Vianney church or school.

Where Angels Play Foundation will be building a playground to celebrate the life of Kyle Roland Mumford.

Kyle Roland Mumford, will always be remembered as a vibrant, energetic, funny & kind hearted boy, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 23, 2022, at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Born at Saint Peter’s Hospital on October 27th, 2015, Kyle loved attending St. John’s Vianney School, in Colonia NJ. He loved spending time with his family & little sister, playing at the park with his friends, adored his Boy Scouts den, enjoyed all sports & had a zest for life, like no other.

Since the day he was born, he brought an abundance of joy to everyone he came in contact with. Kyle’s classmates and “SJV Boys Club”, all mention his playful character, sense of humor and ability to always laugh at everyone’s jokes, and always share with immense generosity to everyone around him, like no other.

He was always smiling, was an affectionate hugger, and he was also the best big brother you could imagine to his five year old sister — Kayla Mumford.

He and his sister, Kayla, were inseparable.

“They were each other's first best friend! He was such a caring big brother, they did everything together from taking silly pictures or making their own videos.”

No words can express the pain we all feel for this terrible loss. Even though Kyle was only a young child, he knew the meaning of what was truly important, over most.

Always saying hello to everyone, even parents, with a smile so bright, even on the gloomiest day, was one of Kyle's superpowers! School principal, Mrs. Tannucilli, earlier this week called Kyle "an incredible little boy" who was "full of life” who loved to run through the halls, while laughing & smiling at anyone who passed along his way.

Kyle R. Mumford will be remembered for his extremely kind spirit and selflessness. “Kyle is the type of boy who would be sitting in the middle of a garden & a butterfly would land on his hand. He would smile and admire the beauty of the butterfly. And once the butterfly flew away, Kyle would wave goodbye to him & smile yet again.

Clare's Corner will be a playground dedicated to all tiny angels that are deeply missed by their families. This idea was inspired and celebrates the life of Clare Easton, who became an angel even before she was born.

The park will benefit the community of Hamilton, NJ and will be a toddler park designed for ages 2-5. It will be built by Where Angels Play Foundation and local volunteers in September 2024.

Please consider making a donation to this very sacred place, Clare's Corner.

Where Angels Play Foundation and the Town of Pequannock have agreed to partner with the Savino Family to build a state of the art, ADA accessible playground at Greenview Park.

Growing up in town, Tom Savino played with his sister and friends at Greenview Park. In December of 2021, Tommy Savino lost his battle with a rare form of Lymphoma, but he continues to win the hearts of everyone who hears his story. Now, a beautiful new playscape playground will be built to honor him.

A hockey player, coach, hockey camp counselor, and referee, Tommy Savino changed the lives of every person he met. He is remembered by his family as the most generous, thoughtful, kind, and uplifting spirit, always ready and willing to make a difference for those around him. The Where Angels Play Foundation and the Township of Pequannock will make sure Tommy continues to bring smiles to the children of the area.

Where Angels Play Foundation came to know Tommy Savino as he refereed their fundraising hockey tournaments and were drawn to his story as they learned of the incredible impact Tommy had on his family, friends, and community in the 27 years he had on the earth.

In Sept 2018, 5 year old, Charlie Fernandez, was diagnosed with Stage IV, neuroblastoma. While still tackling relapsed cancer, in January 2020, she became blind due to a tumor on her optic nerve. Unfortunately, she never regained sight after multiple cancer treatments to shrink tumors and reduce pressure on her optic nerve. In-between treatments, she attended school at Saddlewood Elementary in the South Colonie School District. Her teacher, classmates, and the entire South Colonie School District supported (and still do) and helped Charlie through her battle.

 

When she became blind, she never once complained and adapted very well to her new way of navigating life. Her teacher, Mrs. Sarah Norton along with her two dogs, George and Henry, became her eyes at school. Mrs. Norton trained her own puppies to help Charlie navigate down the school hallways and to greet her at the bus. George and Henry became Charlie’s best friends. Even though Charlie no longer had her eyesight, she never let it interfere with her goals and abilities. She came up with solutions to everyday problems. She would scoot around the floor to get from point a and b. Once she felt comfortable, she started using her hands to feel her way around. Her favorite thing to do was play at the playground. With the support of her teacher, family, and/or friends, she would climb up stairs and slide down the slide and even swing on the swings even though she could not see. The playground allowed her to be a kid and play with her friends. Her photographic memory helped her after she lost her sight.

 

Unfortunately, on April 19, 2021, Charlie lost her battle with cancer. She is now our forever 7 year old angel. In her short time on earth, she made an impact near and far and across the globe.

 

To honor Charlie, we are working with a very generous foundation, Where Angels Play, to raise funds and build an all abilities playground, with special emphasis for the visually impaired, at Saddlewood Elementary School in Colonie at Charlie’s school. School was one of her most favorite places to be! Our goal is to raise $100,000.00 and once that is accomplished, the Where Angels Play Foundation will support the rest of the funds and build this playground. The goal is to build the playground in Spring 2023.

Where Angels Play Foundation is building a beautiful new playscape in Hawksbill Recreation Park in Stanley, VA. This program and non-profit foundation was founded and created in the wake of the tragic events of Superstorm Sandy and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

This playground will be 100% funded by donations and will reflect the life and personality of Stanley Police Officer Nick Winum. Officer Winum lost his life in the line of duty on February 26, 2021. Nick loved helping kids while working as a police officer in the community, and this will continue to be a gift from Nick to the kids in the community for generations to come.

Where Angels Play Foundation and Joey’s Little Angels are partnering to create an all inclusive playground in Hamilton, NJ to celebrate the life of Joseph Thomas Angiolino.

On December 16, 2009, at 7 months of age, Joey was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Hurler’s Syndrome. At 15 months of age, after a tremendous battle, Joey became an angel. We hope to capture Joey’s life in elements of the playground. With some delays due to COVID, we hope to finally make the dream of Joey’s Playground a reality in April of 2022.

For the next year we will be working hard to raise the funds through various events and fundraisers. More details on time and dates will be posted here in the months to come.

Linda lived life to the fullest. She never met a stranger. Her greatest loves in life were her husband, her children, her grandkids and her grand puppy. She was famous for taking her grandkids on ‘adventures’; which would usually result in everyone else going to find out where she was because she never brought her phone with her.

Linda’s family used to always joke that she lived in her own rose colored world that we could only visit on occasion. Her family wants to build a park in honor of her in the spot she brought all of her kids and grandkids. This park will let all who visit it live in their own rose colored world and create their own adventures every time they visit it.