Do It for Dominic D

Myth #1: Letting my teen drink at home and under my supervision is safe.

Fact: Allowing teens to drink at home sends mixed messages about drinking underage. It doesn't protect them. It enables them. Risks include binge drinking, addiction, accidents, and impaired judgment.

The research is clear.

It shows that the younger kids and teens are when they begin drinking, the more likely they are to develop a problem down the road. And remember, if you're giving alcohol to your kids and their friends, in almost every state, it's illegal to provide alcohol to minors who aren't family members.

Research cited is from the NIAAA

Say hi to Sheri! She's Dominic’s aunt, Tami’s sister, and brings her impressive marketing, organizational, and communication skills to us.

She has been fighting against impaired driving since the 1990s. Back then, she served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, where her team ran the statewide public awareness Red Ribbon Campaign and the Parenting As Prevention program, a research-based prevention program for families and children.

Sheri was a yoga teacher for over 12 years and co-authored the book—Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher. It outlines her exclusive Root to Rise Yoga Teaching Method to help yoga teachers teach yoga better. She is an intuitive life coach, Professional Coach, and Group Facilitator.

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⚽ It’s Almost Kickoff Time for the Dominic DePalma 3rd Annual Scholarship Awards Celebration!

Join us for the 3rd Annual Dominic DePalma Scholarship Awards Celebration! Tickets are ONLY $10 each.

July 26, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Westminster Rec Center (10455 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, CO)

REGISTER TODAY!
https://D4DDAwards2026.fundraiser.support

Help us:

⚽ Honor the Recipients of the 2026 Dominic DePalma Scholarship
⚽ Fundraise for the Future and support future scholarship seasons.
⚽ Play games to honor Dominic’s deep love for games and competition.

🎮 In addition to our traditional Foosball Championship, our fan zone is working on a variety of games and activities.

🔴 Can't Make It?

If you are sidelined and can’t attend this year, don’t worry, you can still support the cause. Donate at www.DoItForDominicD.org to keep our team moving forward.

And remember to make a safe choice every single time you get into any vehicle. All proceeds from the event go to the Do It For Dominic D Foundation. Please share this and help us spread the word. The more the merrier after all.

Summer is officially here, which means more freedom, time with friends, and road trips.

But we’re also entering the “100 Deadliest Days” of summer. A period with historically high rates of traffic fatalities for young drivers. National Safety Council data estimates nearly 400 traffic deaths will occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Here's how you can stay safe behind the wheel this summer.

⚽ Stay focused behind the wheel and avoid distractions — no texting, scrolling, calling, or posting.

⚽Speak up if I feel unsafe as a passenger…don't stay silent.

⚽ Never drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, distraction,
drowsy or any other impairment, and I won’t ride with anyone who
does.
⚽ Always wear a seat belt in every seat, every ride, and every
person.

⚽Drive at safe speeds for the conditions —and give people walking,
biking, or rolling the space they need.

⚽ Be a leader by making safe choices and encouraging others to do
the same.

When hosting a memorial event for your son, every tiny detail matters.

Jen Zinn not only understands this, but she personifies the love and loyalty this community shares for an incredible boy who was taken too soon.

Her team at Flower Design by JJ combines unique artistry, passion for floral design, and deep love for our community to deliver the perfect touch of subtle beauty. The attention to detail that went into selecting the right flowers, combining them with impeccable beauty, presenting them in the most breathtaking ways, and delivering/setting up without a hitch exceeded every expectation.

They added to the ambiance of our event, without overpowering the room. Everyone who attended the Dominic DePalma Memorial Scholarship Luncheon and Foosball Tournament felt the warmth, comfort, and caring of this fantastic team.

Thank you, Jen, Robbyn, and Audrey!

For several summers, I orchestrated a soccer camp for Dominic and his friends with an enthusiastic trainer who was loud and funny and made up silly nicknames for every single camper. The kids had a blast and emerged from the camp as far better players. (Maybe you were there?)

A few weeks ago, one of Eleana’s friends told us about a new trainer she found. When I heard the name, I knew our lives would reconnect in a meaningful way.

Zico Ward reminded me that he attended Dominic’s candlelight vigil in 2022. He froze on the turf when he approached the shocked, saddened crowd of 1,000+ friends, and encountered a lone soccer ball near a goal with a “golden hour” worthy sunset in the background.

I felt Dominic’s presence in the photo I received via text.

While preparing for scholarship applications and setting up registrations for this year's scholarship celebration, I started looking for meaningful photos. My heart fluttered when my photo search revealed that the last game Dominic ever played was on May 22, 2022.

It was on the same field where Zico spotted the lone soccer ball on that night that bruised our hearts and drained our souls.

Is it a coincidence that his last game was played precisely where we placed his red bench?

In recent weeks, we finished addressing over 2,000 local high school students with the message, “It CAN’T Happen to Me: Turning Denial into Survival.” Now that school is out, we make the shift to planning this year’s scholarship event so that we can be together while we honor and remember Dominic.

Drop a ⚽ below if you can relate.

Meet Kendall Wangerin, a 2024 Do It for Dominic D scholarship recipient and Holy Family High School and a rising sophomore in 2026. Kendall plays Defensive Center Midfielder for Colorado EDGE Soccer Club, and her favorite quote is, “Faith does not make things easy, it makes them possible.” — Luke 1:37

Both before and after Kendall received her scholarship, we saw so many similarities between her and Dominic.

“Kendall demonstrates the unique ability to be a hard-nosed enforcer on the field, all while leading her teammates from beside in a manner that is contagious,” shared Colorado EDGE 2010g coach David Kramer. “Kendall never makes it about herself; rather, she is always the first to give credit to her teammates, give positive encouragement when the team needs a lift, and celebrate with her teammates after a win. Her positive attitude is infectious.”

At last year’s scholarship presentation, Kendall described how she plays like Dominic:

“Dominating isn’t about accomplishments. It is about wanting to do your best to help your team and watch everyone succeed.”

Does that sound like anyone we know?

Off the field, Kendall bravely lives the message of Do It for Dominic D. She asks friends in advance who is driving and where they are going. She encourages others to pay attention, make a plan, and when there isn’t one, she helps create it.

Thank you, Kendall, for being a living example of Dominic’s legacy.

If you know a U13–U19 soccer player who could use a leg up and shows GRIT, pass this along and encourage them to apply. We’ve awarded $22,000 in scholarships to 11 local players over the last two years, and we look forward to awarding even more this July.

Never Forget. Your DD will get you home.