Number of Participants: 55
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $7,654
Event Type: Civic & Community
Activity: Football
School: Duxbury High School
Date: September 14, 2026
Location:
Duxbury High School
Alden Street, Duxbury
MA
About:
The Duxbury High School Football program is bringing its community together for a cause close to home, using its September 18 home opener to raise awareness and support for stroke recovery while honoring beloved Duxbury resident Jen Quinlan.
Jen, a mother, former Duxbury Boosters member and parent of a former Duxbury Football captain, suffered a stroke in January 2025. Her recovery included four months in multiple hospitals and continues today through physical therapy and rehabilitation.
An important part of Jen’s recovery has been Journey Forward, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with paralysis, spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders work toward greater strength, independence and hope through specialized recovery programs.
The Duxbury Football community first rallied around Jen during the 2025 season, dedicating a game to stroke awareness and naming her an honorary captain. During that game, Jen was wheeled to midfield by Coach Landolfi for the coin toss.
Now, one year later, Jen will return as honorary captain for the Dragons’ 2026 home opener on Friday, September 18. This time, following the progress she has made in her recovery, Jen is planning to walk to midfield with assistance for the coin toss.
The game will be a “White Out,” with the Duxbury community encouraged to fill the stands in white in support of Jen and the cause.
As part of the effort, Duxbury Gridiron is selling special Duxbury Football–Journey Forward T-shirts for $25, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Journey Forward in Jen Quinlan’s honor. Shirts are being sold to students during lunch periods throughout the week leading up to the game.
The cause also carries a special connection to the football program. Jen and her husband, Mike, are the parents of Emily, Duxbury High School Class of 2021, and Colin, Class of 2023. Colin served as a captain during the 2022 football season and was part of the Dragons team that advanced to Gillette Stadium and captured the 2022 Division 4 Super Bowl championship.
Through this special night, Duxbury Football is demonstrating the powerful role athletics can play in bringing people together. By raising awareness, supporting an organization that has made a difference in Jen’s recovery and rallying behind one of their own, the Dragons are showing that being part of a team extends far beyond the football field.
