The Jack Gives Back Foundation is a non-profit established to honor the life and memory of Jack Tusick. The purpose of JGB is to enhance the lives of special needs children, young adults, and their families by providing life enriching experiences, especially through week long dolphin therapy programs.

Jack Tusick was a beautiful young man born with severe congential heart defects in 1994. He was a living miracle, surviving 4 open heart surgeries and a traumatic brain injury. He could not walk, talk, or perform basic tasks independently, but his bright smile and infectious laughter touched everyone who met him. He even learned to use an eye gaze computer to communicate at IDC and gave him a true voice.

Jack began swimming with Squirt, his favorite dolphin, in 2002 at Island Dolphin Care. IDC is a dolphin therapy program established for children with special needs and severe illnesses and their families in Key Largo, FL. We were able to share this experience with extended family and friends over Jack's many visits, including 6 wonderful trips in the last 9 months of his life. Jack lost his battle with heart disease just 4 days shy of his 22nd birthday.

In 2017, Jamie Whitford paved the way, followed by 4 families in 2018. In 2019, we sent another 4 families with 6 total scholarships, (3 children in one family).

IDC was closed due to Covid in 2020 and 2021. When they re-opened in 2022 we sent 7 families, 10 families in 2023, 9 families in 2024, and 12 families in 2025! Thanks to a very generous grant at the end of 2025, we have been able to send a record 16 families this year, all of whom have had the opportunity to experience the transformative power of IDC.

Your support at our fundraiser will enable us to continue our mission to make unforgettable memories and a positive impact in the lives of these kids and their families. Together, we can continue to celebrate the memory of Jack and the joy he brought to all!

Thank you for your support,

Ray, Sandy, Hillary, and Matt Tusick

Jack Gives Back Fundraiser 2026

Jack Gives Back