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Glen Rock Teen Keeps Memory Of Late Friend, 9, Alive

GLEN ROCK, N.J.– Jordan McMahon of Glen Rock is keeping the memory of his deceased friend, Christopher Barron, alive through a foundation and fundraiser that promotes imagination and creativity.

Founder Suzanne Barron discusses the Christopher Barron Foundation mission to instill confidence and a love for learning through comics.

Photo Credit: John Gallagher
Christopher Barron was a huge Mets fan.

Christopher Barron was a huge Mets fan.

Photo Credit: Submitted
The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live performances by Glen Rock students. Here are Sarah Crawford, Jordan McMahon and Bella Colignio.

The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live performances by Glen Rock students. Here are Sarah Crawford, Jordan McMahon and Bella Colignio.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jodi Crandell Photography
The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live musical performances from Glen Rock students. Here is Andrew Stoddard playing acoustic guitar.

The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live musical performances from Glen Rock students. Here is Andrew Stoddard playing acoustic guitar.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jodi Crandell Photography
The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live musical performances by Glen Rock students. Here is Megan Stoddard singing.

The Chris Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser features live musical performances by Glen Rock students. Here is Megan Stoddard singing.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jodi Crandell Photography

“Chris and I were introduced to one another before we could even talk or walk,” McMahon, a senior at Glen Rock High School, told Daily Voice. “We created an amazing friendship that was driven by imagination. We loved to be superheroes and act as though my playground was the made-up society that we had to save.”

Christopher was nine when he died of leukemia in 2007.

“He was always so positive and had an unforgettable and contagious smile,” McMahon said. “I'm so glad we had the chance to be friends and he's really had a large impact on my life.”

McMahon said he wanted to bring Christopher with him to high school and approached his friend’s parents with an idea that’s blossomed into an annual event.

The fourth annual Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation Fundraiser, featuring live musical performances and dance routines by borough students, will take place March 22 at 7 p.m. in the Glen Rock High School auditorium. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.

The foundation, created by Christopher's mom Suzanne Barron, raised approximately $15,000 over the past three years.

All proceeds go towards the foundation’s comic book writing workshops – led by professional comic writer, Alex Simmons – for fifth graders at Paterson’s School 21.

“The school had its arts programs taken away, making this program a great place for creativity and imagination to continue to blossom,” McMahon said.” The comic book idea came straight from Chris' love of comics. 

"The fundraiser, on the other hand, has really given students in my class that didn't know him the chance to see who he was.”

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