The community has a lot of love for John Owen Dumm, a 14-year-old North Royalton teenager diagnosed in 2008 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
Over the years, his story has garnered the support of thousands throughout northeast Ohio and this summer’s 11th annual “Picnic in the Park” event at German Central in Parma was no different. More than 1,000 guests attended the July 14 event, which aims to “Derail Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy” through raffles, children’s games and contests, bingo and sideboards, a silent auction and wine pull, entertainment and food and drink vendors including Niko’s Bar and Gyros, Sprague Road Dairy Queen and Fire Truck Pizza Company. The event also graciously receives aid from upwards of 170 volunteers who assist with everything, from setting up scores of raffle baskets to orchestrating and overseeing the dozens of picnic games and activities.
“We were so blessed with more than $25,000 in product and gift card donations which included amazing artwork by Ray Muniak, Owen’s grandfather, Brad Falkinburg, Terry Conrich and John Dumm, Owen’s grandfather,” said mother Jen, via email. “Also included was a 50-inch flat screen TV, Weber Grill, Disney tickets, an Apple sports watch and many other incredible donations that kept our guests entertained and excited for the raffles.”
After learning of their son’s disease as a toddler, parents Jen and Tony Dumm created John Owen’s Adventure, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to funding awareness for chronic childhood illness including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Their son goes by his middle name, “Owen,” and will be entering ninth grade in August at North Royalton High School. His older brother Rutger, is 16, and younger brother, Wade, is 11.
“We develop funds for finding a cure, sustaining the quality of life for these children and educating the general public about such illnesses,” Jen said via an email interview.
The annual “Picnic in the Park” is just one fundraising activity John Owen’s Adventure, Inc. (JOA) organizes. Over the course of 2018, JOA has held a “Play for JOA! Nerf War,” a “Camo 5K Run,” and other events including “On Base For Duchenne.” Through the years, as the Dumm family has watched their son’s condition change, they’ve stayed true to their nonprofit’s goal of discovering a treatment, improving research and establishing programming for those affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). For more information about John Owen’s Adventure, Inc., visit joainc.org.
As for Owen, he celebrated another fantastic “Picnic in the Park” event surrounded by loving family and friends pledging their support. The incoming freshman, known for his dry, sarcastic humor and keen eye, enjoys video games, being outside with his brothers and friends, going on hikes and watching movies.
“It was certainly a hot night, temps were soaring but that did not stop our great supporters from coming out,” Jen said. “We could not believe the dedication of the Burger Family as they grilled up all the sausages in the incredible heat, 95 degrees outside their tent, 115 degrees inside. God bless them! We honored all of our incredible sponsors that evening through advertising their great businesses and families throughout the year and at the event with special award recognition. One sponsor, Impact Team, conducts ‘On Base for Duchenne’ with their travel baseball organization. Their teams request sponsors each time they get ‘on base’ during the baseball season and they have donated more than $10,000 since their partnership with JOA to help raise funds to cure this muscle killer. Their Lumberjack team was all present to give Owen high fives, fist bumps and the big check for what they had earned for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.”
The “Picnic in the Park” event was a “perfect night filled with our perfect community,” Jen said.
“We are so beyond blessed and honored to have this amazing northeast Ohio community stand behind us and lift us up each and every year,” she said.
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer