Isla Rose Melucci’s Memorial Playground

Isla Rose Melucci was a bright, joyful force of nature — a little girl who didn’t simply walk into a room, she TUMBLED into it. She loved blowing out candles, chasing bubbles, dancing to music, and being active in every way imaginable. Isla tucked her chin, took off with perfect form, and tumbled down the front lawns of her street as her loving audience cheered her on. She was the first to climb the monkey bars (or the furniture) and always the last one out of the pool.

Though she spoke only four words, Isla communicated with a depth and clarity that needed no vocabulary. Her expressive face, her high‑fives, her enthusiastic waves — they made everyone feel loved, included, and seen. Her laugh was contagious, her smile unforgettable, and her energy filled every space she entered. If she heard a song, she danced. If she saw a friend, she lit up. You couldn’t help but fall in love with her the moment you met her.

On March 9, 2026, just weeks after celebrating her fourth birthday, Isla passed away in her sleep from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). SUDC affects 1 in 100,000 children ages 12 months and older — fewer than 500 children each year — and remains the fifth leading category of death in children ages one to four. There are no warning signs, no way to predict it, and no way to prevent it. The SUDC Foundation (www.SUDC.org) continues to work tirelessly to raise awareness, fund research, and support families, all without public funding.

Isla’s Memorial Playground is being created in her honor—an inclusive place where children can laugh, play, explore, and create memories, just as she loved to do every day. Her legacy will live on through the joy, friendships, and connections this playground brings to families for generations to come!

To honor Isla’s life, her joy, and her incredible spirit, Athletes Caring Together, is proud to announce the Isla Rose Melucci Memorial Fund to create Isla’s Memorial Playground in her honor. The dream for the playground is an inclusive place where children of all abilities can laugh, play, explore, and create memories, just as she loved to do every day. Her legacy will live on through the joy, friendships, and connections this playground brings to families for generations to come. We are hoping to reach this dream through the support of family, friends and the community.

It is our hope that Isla’s story inspires a community‑wide effort to remove barriers and open doors for children who need it most. Through this fund, her memory will continue to inspire, encourage, and support children for generations to come.

If you would like to support this effort, we invite you to consider making a donation. Even $1, $3, or $5 can make a meaningful impact when our community comes together. All donations made through the link below will go directly toward the future playground.

DONATE HERE

***Since this a non-profit organization, you do NOT need to add an additional amount to “Help keep Zeffy free for Athletes Caring Together Inc.” This is a free service to all non-profits so, so ACT will NOT get charged a fee. 100% of the donations go directly to Athletes Caring Together.*** 

We also invite you to follow Athletes Caring Together on social media for updates on the scholarship program, and Isla’s Memorial Playground, along with the Youth Games (fund to go towards the playground), volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved as we get closer to our dream! Thank you from everyone at Athletes Caring Together and the Reed, Roscioli and Melucci Families for helping us create opportunities for children in Isla’s memory. Together, we can ensure her legacy continues to bring smiles to children for years to come.