Zakkary Johnson Memorial Fund

Zakkary Johnson Memorial Fund ZJMF is pairing up with Kids Around the World to provide inclusive playgrounds! Zak went to Wayzata Public Schools and grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota.

We are hosting the 6th Annual Zakkary Johnson Memorial Classic Golf Tournament on August 7, 2017! This year's tournament is raising funds to create an outdoor play environment that offers fun and adventure for all. We are working with the City of Plymouth, the Plymouth Community Foundation, and the design firm, Cre8Play to fulfill our vision of a Universal Design Play Environment and a Miracle Lea

gue Playfield! We also fund the ZJMF Scholarship Program at Wayzata Public Schools; and we donate a small percent of our net proceeds to Pawsitive Perspective Assistance Dogs, www.PawPADs.org. If you are interested in playing in the tournament, attending the dinner or donating to our cause, please let us know. Please send donations to: Zakkary Johnson Memorial Fund, 3305 Lanewood Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447. We hosted the 1st Zakkary Johnson Memorial Classic Golf Tournament on August 13, 2012 at Medina Golf and Country Club. This golf tournament raised money for 3 organizations, Courage Center, Canine Companions for Independence and We Can Ride. All 3 of these organizations benefitted Zakkary Johnson who died at only 15 years of age on May 4, 2011. Zak is dearly missed by his Ma, Rob, Kiera, Taylor and Buckley as well as all of his grandparents. Zak loved the game of golf....during golf season, he golfed with Rob all the time....he also golfed with his Ma, Kiera, Grandpa Gary and Grandma Mary....he held his golf ball and tee while riding in the golf cart.

10/27/2020

Zakkary's 3rd park in Costa Rica! We were supposed to go but Covid interrupted our plans! Glad it's finally built though!

This is the message I received from Kids Around the World today in regards to the playground that will be built in April...
12/04/2019

This is the message I received from Kids Around the World today in regards to the playground that will be built in April in Costa Rica.

"I wanted to let you know…THE CONTAINER LOADED TODAY AND IS ON IT’S WAY TO COSTA RICA!!!

One of the amazing opportunities that our warehouse team in IL has from time to time, is to work alongside an Inmate Work Crew during container loads. It’s a great chance to shine light into their lives and allow men from broken backgrounds to know that they are having a meaningful impact on children’s lives globally. The rumor on the street is that there’s a waiting list to be a part of a container load!"

If you don't know me well, one of my passions is working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders. They have a 50% chance of ending up in prison. When I'm retired, I want to volunteer at a prison. I've been talking about this ever since we decided to move to Texas when we retire. I know this was a sign from Zak today on his 24th birthday!

09/03/2019

We are so excited to have been able to partner with Kids Around the World and bring accessible parks to kids in other countries! Here's the latest in Jordan! Dan from Kids Around the World shared this, "Additionally, when I told the Camp Manager about Zakkary and your family, he asked if he could share your story at the Opening Ceremony and if they could make a plaque with his name on it. They were all very moved by your generosity and heart for children!!!" Thanks Zak and all our donors!

Zak lives on helping children of all abilities! Robert Reitz Mary Belle Emfield Kiera Reitz Jeri Johnson
08/24/2019

Zak lives on helping children of all abilities! Robert Reitz Mary Belle Emfield Kiera Reitz Jeri Johnson

In collaboration with Kids Around the World, IRD/Blumont helped bring a playground structure to the youth of Za’atari camp. Kids Around the World is a US-bas...

In the mountains above Quito, Ecuador a retreat known as The Meeting Place has long been a home base for local and globa...
11/18/2018

In the mountains above Quito, Ecuador a retreat known as The Meeting Place has long been a home base for local and global medical teams serving families with little or no access to care. Many of these teams specialize in physical therapy, spending their time at The Meeting Place caring for children with disabilities and educating their families on how to keep them healthy, active and engaged!

In the Summer of 2019, we will be traveling to the Cloud Forest with Kids Around the World to install an accessible and inclusive playground for these amazing children! Not only will it provide countless hours of laughter and joy, but it will serve as a critical tool in the physical therapy process for many of those that visit. Even more exciting is the idea of families being able to play with their children, perhaps for the very first time, on a playground built just for them!

Retreat Details:
Provides ongoing care to 20 rural families nearby with members of differing abilities
Provides location for local and international teams to serve families with general and specific medical needs
Local NGOs and schools often participate in “Day Trips” to this site for care, therapy and clinics

Trip Details:
The team could stay at the site
Interaction with some of the local families is an option
A scheduled opening day could include other groups from Quito traveling in to enjoy the playground AND participate in workshops and clinics

Zata’ari Camp in Jordan is the largest refugee settlement for Syrians that have fled the violence of their country. With...
11/18/2018

Zata’ari Camp in Jordan is the largest refugee settlement for Syrians that have fled the violence of their country. With a population of nearly 80,000, the 5 square kilometer camp is bursting at the seams with the children that make up 50% of the total population. In recent years an initiative has been underway to provide access and inclusivity to a very special portion of this young population. It first began with an effort by UNICEF to redesign bathrooms and schools. Soon they started partnering with the United Nations and International Relief & Development, to create even more opportunities and access to services.

In early 2019, we are excited to partner with these organizations and Kids Around the World to create a centralized inclusive playground area inside the camp where ALL children can interact, explore and enjoy the gift of play side-by-side with one another!

Thanks for coming and bringing the dogs!!
08/09/2017

Thanks for coming and bringing the dogs!!

08/06/2017

Thank you to Christopher J Salon for the generous donation! August 7 Classic Golf Tournament! Register zakjohnson.org

https://www.christopherjsalon.com/

Contact Christopher J Salon in Plymouth, MN, at 763-404-8606 to learn more about your local beauty salon today!

Thank you to Medina Entertainment Center for tickets to Mark Chestnut, Blackhawk, April Wine & Lita Ford and Fabulous A...
08/06/2017

Thank you to Medina Entertainment Center for tickets to Mark Chestnut, Blackhawk, April Wine & Lita Ford and Fabulous Armadillos! Join us tomorrow to bid on these!

http://medinaentertainment.com/

Thank you to Minnesota United FC for the ticket donation! Join us August 7 to bid on these! Register zakjohnson.orghtt...
08/02/2017

Thank you to Minnesota United FC for the ticket donation! Join us August 7 to bid on these! Register zakjohnson.org

https://www.mnufc.com/

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Plymouth, MN
55447

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Our Story

Zak is dearly missed! Zak died on May 4, 2011 at only 15 years old. We started ZJMF to support all of the great organizations that helped Zakkary as he was growing up.

We hosted the 1st Zakkary Johnson Memorial Classic Golf Tournament on August 13, 2012 at Medina Golf and Country Club. This golf tournament raised money for 3 organizations, Courage Center, Canine Companions for Independence and We Can Ride. All 3 of these organizations benefitted Zakkary Johnson who died at only 15 years of age on May 4, 2011. We continued to host 5 more golf tournaments and continued to raise funds.

We have now decided to support an organization called Kids Around the World. Our first project is going to provide an inclusive playground for children in Jordan.

Zata’ari Camp in Jordan is the largest refugee settlement for Syrians that have fled the violence of their country. With a population of nearly 80,000, the 5 square kilometer camp is bursting at the seams with the children that make up 50% of the total population. In recent years an initiative has been underway to provide access and inclusivity to a very special portion of this young population. It first began with an effort by UNICEF to redesign bathrooms and schools. Soon they started partnering with the United Nations and International Relief & Development, to create even more opportunities and access to services.