Council approves Jason Bernard memorial tournament and announces a community walk in October

Peabody City Councilors on Sept. 11 approved a special event application for a memorial tournament at East End Veterans Memorial Park to raise funds for a scholarship in memory of Jason Bernard and heard plans for a community walk and related programming in October.

Mayor (presenting the item) described the application and said city departments — Parks & Recreation, Department of Public Services, Police, Fire and Health — had signed off on the event. He said the Police Department would assist with a grill and food service. The event’s organizers, Sally Rosario and her brother Luis Santana, said they are “turning our grief into action” and intend to establish a scholarship fund for a student who may have faced circumstances similar to Jason.

Councilor Turco moved to approve the special event application. The council approved the event by roll call vote. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, at East End Veterans Memorial Park on Walnut Street. The mayor and organizers also announced a community walk to honor Jason on Saturday, Oct. 11. That walk will start at the Brown School — identified as Jason’s elementary school — and follow a roughly 5‑kilometer route before a return to the school for booths and informational tables. The mayor said the walk is intended to become an annual pre‑school‑year tradition and that more details would be provided to city staff for public distribution.

Organizers asked residents to sign up in advance or attend the day of the event. Councilors praised the family for channeling their loss into community outreach and youth support.