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Dylan Balogh Honor Garden

Our plans for our Honor Garden are moving forward. Our inaugural ceremony was held on a Oct. 10. Work began on it last year, we are excited to see it coming to fruition.

The Dylan Balogh Honor Garden is an area of respite, repose and reflection. We are honoring those who have gone before us, anyone that you feel has made a positive impact in your life or any significant life event that brings you a sense of joy, safety and peace. Life’s encounters are all teaching and learning experiences and Dylan’s Honor Garden at Project H.O.P.E. House is here to provide the sanctuary to give honor to to those people and experiences that we cherish. May their memories be a blessing.

We are honoring a young man that was taken from us too soon. Dylan (April 15, 1995 ~ October 28, 2017) was 22 years old, 6 foot 3 inch 210 Ib. young man studying at Loyola University during his senior year. Born and raised in Hawthorn Woods and Barrington, Illinois, Dylan had two brothers and a zest for life that made him a joy to be around and loved. His life ended way too abruptly, and in honor of his memory and for his legacy the DylanStrong Foundation was created. It was very important for Dylan to be the best son, brother, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law, nephew, teammate, friend and mentor he could be. He did nothing without giving it his all, but somewhere deep within the unique wiring of his being and his brain he felt that he was not giving enough…that he was not worthy of all the love and the gifts that he had been given.

First bricks purchased for our Honor Garden.
Jeff Mantelman gave the opening remarks.
Joanne Balogh spoke about her son’s giving nature.

Ray Piagentini gives thoughtful remarks and explains the ritual of sage burning having its roots in Native American tradition. Today, people burn sage to promote healing and clear negative energy.

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