BENEFICIARIES

We organized this annual fundraising event to help raise money for an educational fund established for the four surviving children of our dear friend, Joel C. Cleary - Lusk.

MISSION STATEMENT

"Our goal is to organize and promote family orientated fundraising events designed to raise money for the next generation, thus helping those to broaden their education and pursue their dreams."

(734) 368 0744

This website is sponsored by:

SPONSORSHIP

Learn more about our past and present sponsors, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities.  We would greatly appreciate your generosity, help, and support.

Donations go towards an educational fund established for our beneficiaries.

THE DEXTER LEADER 

To the Editor: On the morning of Oct. 1, 2008, life as we knew it changed for­ever. Our youngest son, Joel Lusk, was killed in a trag­ic accident on his way to work. To lose someone you love when they've been sick for some time is diffi­cult enough, but this is beyond words. Our family is devastated by this loss. Joel had four children, had just bought a new home and a new chapter in his life was just beginning. Family meant everything to him and he worked two jobs so his wife and children could have things so many take for granted.  What he didn't have was insurance for himself. Friends and family (even strangers) have reached out to help and touched our hearts immensely. Fundraisers are being planned, local merchants have donation jars all over town, organizations have contributed to family needs, Dexter High School students have worked on flyers, etc. The generosity and kindness of our com­munity has truly over­whelmed us.  Father Brendan from St. Joe's made his funeral so personal, so comforting. Johnny and the staff at Stafan-Mitchell answered questions we were too heartbroken to even think of. In 29 years Joel had more of an impact on oth­ers than some do who live to be 100. He was truly a gentle, giving soul who would help anyone in need. His spirit of giving has been shown to us by so many in this wonderful community of kindness. The outpouring of love has meant more to us than words could ever adequately express. May God bless Joel and all of you that have kept us in your hearts, your thoughts, and prayers. Your kind­ness will never be forgot­ten.

Katherine Lusk, Dexter, MI.
ANN ARBOR NEWS, Death leaves family of 4 kids at risk. Dexter High grad killed in truck crash. Saturday, October 11, 2008, BY SUSAN L. OPPAT, The Ann Arbor News. 
Joel Cleary-Lusk was all about family. At 29, he was a father of four who gave up some of his favorite activities - motorcycle racing and bull-riding - because they were too risky. When he wasn't working as a heating and cooling technician alongside his father, Mike Cleary, he was with his family at their new home on five acres near Webberville. He spent time over the summer in a big trailer at a camp near Jackson, out on the lake with the kids on the family's pontoon boat, fishing and swimming. The Dexter High School graduate even commuted an hour each way to work in the Ypsilanti area so his children could grow up in a rural setting. But everything he did for his children and stay-at-home wife, Marcie, 30, is now at risk after Joel Cleary-­Lusk was killed on his way to meet his father for a job in Southgate on Oct. 1. He had no life insurance. "He was such a great father, so hard-working. If he wasn't at work, he was spending time with the kids and his family," Mike Cleary said Friday. Ace Plumbing & Drains, where father and son worked together, has established a bank account for donations that will go to Joel Cleary-Lusk's family, including 10-year-old Colton, 7-year-old Kendra, 4-year-old K'anna and 2-year-old Kayla. "He was a really motivated man, a guy on the move," said Ace operations manager Kimberly Taylor. Taylor said Joel Cleary-Lusk worked "full-time and then some," and everyone at the company was crushed to learn of his death. Joel Cleary-Lusk survived cancer at the age of 12 after undergoing lung surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. He suffered a collapsed lung last year. Mike Cleary said his son didn't feel well the weekend before he died and still wasn't right before the crash. He said Joel Cleary-Lusk was three miles from home on his way to work at about 7:20 a.m. when he was killed. Livingston County Sheriffs deputies said Joel Cleary-Lusk was eastbound in his pickup truck on Sargent Road on the Ingham-Livingston county line when he missed the only curve on the straight road. His pickup went airborne over a drainage ditch and hit a tree on the driver's side of the cab. Autopsy results likely won't be available for at least a month, but Mike Cleary said his family wonders whether Joel Cleary-Lusk lost consciousness before the crash because there was no indication he tried to stop or turn. Mike Cleary said family members paid for the funeral and are helping as much as they can, but they need help. Susan Oppat can be reached at soppat@annarbornews.com or at 734-482-1166.
Joel C. Cleary-Lusk Of Webberville, Michigan Formerly Of Dexter, Michigan 

Age 29, died Wednesday October 1, 2008.  He was born on May 13, 1979 in Dearborn, Michigan.  Joel had worked for Ace Plumbing Company in Belleville for several years.  He graduated from Dexter High School and then enrolled in William Ford Tech School in Heating and Cooling.  His greatest love was his family and friends.  His hobbies followed, and they included motorcycle racing, bull-riding, fishing, and camping.  He touched many lives and will never be forgotten.  On June 20, 2003, he married Marcie Sue Bogardus in Dexter, and she survives.  Also surviving are his four children, Colton Harris, age 10, Kendra Bogardus, age 7, K’anna Lusk, age 4, and Kayla Lusk, age 2; his parents, Michael and Katherine (Carron) Lusk; his father, Michael Cleary, of Gibraltar, two brothers, Michael Cleary of Ann Arbor, and Brandon (Lindsay) Lusk of Lakeland; three sisters, Rebecca Cleary and Rachel Cleary both of Gibraltar, and Angela Lusk of Chelsea; paternal grandparents, Mary Ellen Cleary, James Lusk, and John (Myra) Utykanski; mother-in-law and father-in-law, James (Janice) Bogardus, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Mark (Tammy) Bogardus, and Matt (Molly) Bogardus; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Robert (Kathleen) Carron, and paternal grandparents Patrick Cleary, and Shirly Lusk.  Expressions of sympathy can be made to Joel Lusk Children’s Educational Fund. 

Scripture Services at 7:00 p.m.: also at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

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INTRODUCTION

 The annual Family Fun Day events are organized in remembrance of our dear friend, Joel C. Cleary - Lusk.  The proceeds are donated to an educational fund established for Joel's four surviving children.  Joel had no life insurance when he passed away unexpectedly in a tragic car accident on his way to work the morning of October 1st 2008.  Since then, friends, family, and the surrounding community have pulled together to organize fundraisers to help support Joel's family in their time of need.  After coordinating a coin collection drive, benefit dinners, and more.  An annual golf outing was established, golf outings were great and helped us raise money for the family.  Although most of our friends were not avid golfers and the cost to participate was very expensive.  The golf courses were making a lot of money, while very little was actually being donated to the children's educational fund.  We also wanted the children to be involved, after all that is what brought us all together.  So we decided to organize an event that people of all ages could participate in and enjoy. 

We decided to throw a carnival style event that would cost less per person and appeal to a wider audience, while at the same time providing a better atmosphere for friends and families to mingle with each other and enjoy a more relaxed setting.  After researching the expense of renting a dozen or more games each year for the festivities, we came to the conclusion it would be much cheaper to build the games ourselves.  We had numerous volunteers and sponsors donating their time, as well as new and recycled building materials to construct additional games.  Between August of 2010 and August of 2011, we had researched, designed, and built over a dozen games for the 1st Annual Family Fun Day.  The event was a success; everyone enjoyed the games so much that they encouraged us to start a rental business so that they could lease the games and other party supplies for their next family reunion, company picnic, child's birthday party, church function, and other special events that they were planning.  Fun Day Rentals LLC was established in August of 2011 to fulfill these requests, please visit  www.fundayrentals.com for game rental services.

We continue to research, design, and construct additional games to add to the festivities.  If you would be willing to make a contribution to our cause, volunteer your time, and/or sponsor the event in any way, please click here to fill out our contact request form or email your inquiries to info@familyfunday.org..

OUR HISTORY

July 2015 - The Fifth Annual Family Fun Day was held at Fun Day Rentals LLC in Chelsea, July 11th, 2015.

June 2014 - The Fourth Annual Family Fun Day was held at Fun Day Rentals LLC in Chelsea, June 21st, 2014.

June 2013 - The Third Annual Family Fun Day was held at Fun Day Rentals LLC in Chelsea, June 22nd, 2013.

August 2012 - The Second Annual Family Fun Day was held at Fun Day Rentals LLC in Chelsea, August 11th, 2012.

August 2011 - Fun Day Rentals LLC was established so that families and other organizations could lease the games and party supplies that we had accumulated.  Learn more.

August 2011 - The First Annual Family Fun Day event was established in Chelsea, August 13th, 2011.

August 2010 - The Second Annual Joel C. Cleary - Lusk Children's Educational Fund Golf Outing was held at Hudson Mills Metropark Golf Course in Dexter, August 28th, 2010.

October 2009 - The First Annual Joel C. Cleary - Lusk Children's Educational Fund Golf Outing was held at Reddeman Farms Golf Course in Chelsea, October 3rd, 2009.

January 2009 - Joel C. Cleary - Lusk Benefit Dinner at The Lighthouse Cafe in Dexter, January 24th, 2009.

December 2008 - Dexter Community School Teachers organized a Christmas fund raiser to benefit the family of former DHS student, Joel C. Cleary - Lusk.

December 2008 - Joel C. Cleary - Lusk Benefit Dinner at J-Dubs, Sibley in Riverview, December 7th, 2008.

October 2008 – Joel C. Cleary - Lusk passed away unexpectedly in a tragic car accident on his way to work the morning of October 1st, 2008.