Dustin J & Daniel Friedland Foundation

Dustin J & Daniel Friedland Foundation The DJD Foundation was created in loving memory of Dustin and Daniel Friedland, both lifelong learners, passionate about helping others and giving back.

Please join us in honoring their memory and continuing their legacy. The goal of the foundation is to support those in need through charitable causes, with an emphasis in education. We are a registered 501(3)(c). Our Tax ID is 83-1815437.

In honor of Dustin’s 43rd birthday, words from his lifelong friend, Andy Geneslaw. He is deeply loved, greatly missed, a...
03/09/2026

In honor of Dustin’s 43rd birthday, words from his lifelong friend, Andy Geneslaw.

He is deeply loved, greatly missed, and remembered every day💙

When I think of Daniel, I think of his smile.  It was bright white, but more than that, he shared it freely - often alon...
01/09/2026

When I think of Daniel, I think of his smile. It was bright white, but more than that, he shared it freely - often alongside his unforgettable, genuine laugh. Just the memory of his smile and laugh brings back the feeling of his effervescent personality and pure zest for life. If there was ever a party - and there often was - Daniel was at the center of it. He brought enthusiasm wherever he went, and his joy was contagious.

Daniel always called me by my full name. “Come on Emily Rose!” - immediately ready to welcome me into whatever he was up to. “Emily Rose, you were CRAZY last night! - launching into entirely made-up stories just to make me laugh and start a silly conversation. He’d leave long, rambling voicemails for no other purpose than to say hello and make sure my day was brighter. He gave his love generously, and without expectations. The equation was simple: I was a friend of Deanna’s, so I was a friend of his - instantly, and for life.

When I think about the time we spent together, I remember his disarming nature. He was someone you could count on to help you celebrate any occasion, always peppering you with dozens of questions about anything and everything going on in your life. He had a way of making his friends feel like celebrities, and it didn’t take long to feel close with him, as if he’d been a trusted confidante for years.

Above all, Daniel loved his family. When I imagine where he would be today, I think first of how proud he would be of the life his sister has built. I picture him spending summers lounging by Deanna and Anthony’s pool, leading Dominic and Daniela into mischief, and fully embracing his role as their beloved uncle. In the winter, he’d be the first to arrive at holidays, welcoming everyone into Deanna’s house as if it were his own, greeting them with huge hugs.

10 years without Daniel feels impossible, as his presence is still felt. His smile remains a lasting reminder of the joy he brought to us - we were truly lucky to know him.

Twelve years ago, our lives were forever changed by your tragic passing… “My beloved Dustin, the greatest honor I was gi...
12/15/2025

Twelve years ago, our lives were forever changed by your tragic passing… “My beloved Dustin, the greatest honor I was given was being your honorary godmother and having you call me Aunt Anna. I was always so proud of your academic and athletic achievements and told all of my friends about them. While I would always tell them how smart you were, I got the biggest smile when I would say how very handsome you were.

We shared many wonderful memories, but the one I cherish most was when you took your trip across the country and made sure to text and send pictures along the way. I never thought a 27-year-old would text his aunt to share his journey with her. I wish I still had all of the texts and pictures you sent me. I miss you every day. You are always in my heart.”

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in honoring the lives and legacies of Dustin and Daniel Friedland by suppo...
12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in honoring the lives and legacies of Dustin and Daniel Friedland by supporting the DJD Foundation. Created in loving memory of two extraordinary brothers, the DJD Foundation is dedicated to helping students in need access meaningful educational opportunities. Through scholarships awarded in their honor, we aim to open doors, remove barriers, and empower the next generation of dreamers, leaders, and changemakers.

Your generosity helps ensure Dustin and Daniel’s compassion, brilliance, and spirit live on—creating lasting impact in the lives of students who need it most.
Thank you for helping us keep their memory alive through opportunity, education, and hope. 💙

Venmo or visit djdfriedlandfoundation.org to donate ✨

A huge congratulations to the winners of the DJD Foundation’s 6th Annual Costume Contest! *1st Place: Leo Rinaldi & Crew...
11/02/2025

A huge congratulations to the winners of the DJD Foundation’s 6th Annual Costume Contest!

*1st Place: Leo Rinaldi & Crew, Home Alone
*2nd Place: Ciraulo Family, Hook
*3rd Place: Kora Wilder, Pink Pony Club  

Honorable Mentions: 
-Amabile Family, Wicked
-Crespo Family, Moana
-Nora & Andrew Jorges, Dottie Hinson & Jimmy Dugan 

Thank you to all who participated - your creativity and spirit blew us away! And a special shoutout to our amazing judges at Club Pilates! Be sure to check out their studios in Wall, Toms River, and Howell! We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

Contest has been extended - tag us by November 1!
10/31/2025

Contest has been extended - tag us by November 1!

🎃 Join Our 6th Annual DJD Halloween Costume Contest! 👻 Show off your spooky, funny, or creative costume!Tag us in your p...
10/30/2025

🎃 Join Our 6th Annual DJD Halloween Costume Contest! 👻

Show off your spooky, funny, or creative costume!
Tag us in your post or story on 10/31.

You’ll automatically be entered to win DJD swag of your choice!

The DJD Foundation is proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our hardworking students from Hob...
07/27/2025

The DJD Foundation is proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our hardworking students from Hoboken High School and Toms River High School North who have been awarded our annual scholarship! We applaud their dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence throughout their high school career and wish them the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter in college! Congratulations to each recipient!

Happy Pride! The DJD Foundation is proud to support  - a vital LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization serving the NYC area. Throu...
06/24/2025

Happy Pride! The DJD Foundation is proud to support - a vital LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization serving the NYC area. Through empowerment, advocacy, and essential resources, The Center uplifts the community, offering a safe space and invaluable support. Our donation is a small part of a larger movement to ensure equality, care, and love for all. 🌈🌈

“Celebrating birthdays with my brother Daniel are among my favorite memories with him. Always my biggest cheerleader, he...
06/19/2025

“Celebrating birthdays with my brother Daniel are among my favorite memories with him. Always my biggest cheerleader, he would make a huge deal out of my birthday—almost confusing it for his own. He had a way of making me feel extra special, deeply loved, and like it was the most important day of the year. But as I look back on our time together and from what so many have shared since his passing, Daniel made everyone around him feel incredibly loved, important and special on any occasion. Doing so was ingrained in his personality and spirit, a testament to who he was as a person.

The last birthday we celebrated together was his 30th, when I threw him a party in Hoboken. He was so excited—calling me over and over to discuss details and coordinate matching outfits, trying to convince me his cell phone clip was actually in style. He kept saying “anyone who’s anyone is going to be there!” It was a beautiful party filled with genuine laughs, embrace, and insurmountable love that seemed to follow Daniel wherever he went. He was truly overwhelmed with happiness and, not that he ever doubted it, knew just how popular he was. It’s how I always like to think of him. Today, on his 40th birthday, I hope he’s watching over us, seeing the many people who continue to celebrate him, feeling that sentiment all over again, knowing how cherished and loved he continues to be.” With love, Deanna

Thank you to all who attended and supported the DJD Friedland Foundation’s recent fundraiser held in special tribute to ...
06/06/2025

Thank you to all who attended and supported the DJD Friedland Foundation’s recent fundraiser held in special tribute to Daniel’s 40th birthday. With your generous contributions, we raised over $27,000 — a powerful testament to the love and legacy Daniel left behind. Every donation helps keep his memory alive and furthers the work we do in his name.

We’d like acknowledge and applaud our extremely generous sponsors: The Marco Family, Epic Developers, Club Pilates, Esposito Construction, Level 10 Development, Aqua Blu, Annie’s Originals Balloons & Celebration Styling, The Stanziale Family, Jorges & Bowers, Mastrone Plumbing & Heating, Paul Davis Restoration of Ocean & Monmouth County, Triumph Mechanical, The Cabibbo Family, LG Aesthetica, and Makeup by Jenna. Thank you to all our raffle donors as well! 

We remember Daniel and Dustin every single day, and moments like this remind us that their spirits continue to inspire and bring people together for good. Thank you for honoring them in a such a beautiful way!

.by.jenna

Address

1807 Boardwalk
Seaside Park, NJ
08752

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