Dear PlayGarden Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share this  very heartbreaking news with you.  Our sweet sweet friend, longtime PlayGarden camper, Julian Minh Cortes, a bright spirit who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at the age of 12. 

Julian had so many joyful memories at PlayGarden over the last 8 years (2016-2024) and will forever be part of our hearts. The camp counselors have spent the last few days sharing their favorite stories with Julian- from reading books about outer space in the Wild Zone, to counting airplanes and singing airplane songs from the top of the volcano, to holding chickens, making up silly stories,  and leading silly repeat after me songs in the grape arbor. Each story that gets told brings a big mix of both tears and smiles to our counselors as we grieve the loss of this beautiful bright dreamer of a child, Julian. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 1pm to 3pm at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home (11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133). All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations in Julian’s memory to two organizations that do so much to bring joy and inclusion to the lives of children who can be very isolated:

Seattle Children’s Playgarden: https://seattleplaygarden.org/

MDA Summer Camp: https://mda.donordrive.com/campaign/Remembering-Julian-Cortes

 A fuller obituary up on the Evergreen-Washelli site shares more about Julian. 

If you would like to share a story about Julian you may add to the Community Remembrance Document his family has created.  We hope that you will join us in sharing stories and memories of Julian and support his family is this hard time. 

 

With love and a tender heart,

Hannah & The PlayGarden staff community