Kelsey (Duffy) Powers
President & Founder
In 2008 my brother Sgt. Shane P. Duffy was killed in Iraq, leaving behind a wife and A 9-month-old daughter. With the help and dedication of friends and family, we have run the foundation for ten years now, giving over $50,000 out in scholarships, GS Disney vacation give back, and sponsoring families for the holidays.
SPD was founded in 2019. SPD was established under the idea of courage. With dedication, any goal can be achieved. Our goal is to spread this message of empowerment with Strength, Passion, and Dedication. The reasoning and meaning behind our name and mission come from President and founder Kelsey (Duffy) Powers' brother Sgt. Shane Padraig Duffy. Shane was a passionate and driven individual, which led him to enlist in the army after graduating high school. Shane was killed in action on June 4, 2008. Shane left behind a legacy through his daughter along with his wife, brother, two sisters, mother, father, and an endless list of friends, family, and grieving community. Shortly after Shane's death, The Sergeant Shane Duffy Memorial Scholarship Fund was started. Proceeds from sales of SPD products will go directly to The Sergeant Shane Duffy Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to local high school seniors, veterans, and the local community.
The idea for SPD was years in the making. A graduate of The University of Rhode Island with a degree in Textile Merchandise and Design, Kelsey has always had a passion for fashion products and design. Through the support of her friends, family, and community after years of different jobs, she decided to ensure and fulfill her goal of continuing her brother's legacy. She would have to create a product brand with an ongoing outreach. Our ultimate goal at SPD is to spread the message of support and empower anyone and everyone that anything is possible through Strength, Passion, and Dedication.
🍀Over the years🍀
🍀Over the years🍀
The Sgt. Shane P. Duffy Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Sgt. Duffy, a Taunton native who was killed in Iraq in 2008.
Scholarships in his name are awarded each year to seniors from Taunton High School, Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School, or Coyle Cassidy High School. One student will receive a $1000 scholarship for a winning essay and two students from a police officer and firefighter’s family will receive $500.
Also, since 2012, a $2000 cash award has been given to a deserving veteran who was nominated by friends or family.
Duffy was born on June 22, 1985 as the second child to Taunton firefighter Keavin Duffy Sr. and Frances Duffy. They raised Shane with his older brother Keavin and two younger sisters Kelsey and Shanon. Due in no small part to his upbringing, Sgt. Duffy loved his Irish heritage, sports, and our country.
Shane’s father, paternal grandmother, and mother.
To remember their soldier, Duffy’s relatives have held a large-scale scholarship fundraiser every year since his death. In 2019, the family decided it was time to have its last fundraiser dinner and softball tournament.
To further honor the American hero, family, friends, and community leaders gathered at a bridge on Taunton’s Winthrop street to commemorate it as the Sgt. Shane Duffy Bridge in 2011.
From Left: Keavin Duffy Sr., Mackenzie Duffy, Jaime Duffy, Kelsey Duffy, Keavin Duffy Jr., Shanon Duffy, Frances Duffy
The Taunton, Massachusetts based Sgt. Shane Duffy Fund will expand its reach this holiday season to new Massachusetts cities. Military families from the Dighton, Medford and Springfield areas, all with Framingham-based soldiers deployed in the Middle East, will receive holiday gifts from the fund named after Duffy, a fallen Army hero and Taunton High School graduate.
Previously, the Duffy Fund exclusively picked students and veterans from the Taunton and Dighton-Rehoboth area as scholarship and gift recipients, but with the organization’s continued success comes the opportunity to help communities across Massachusetts.
over the last fourteen years the SGT Shane Duffy Memorial foundation has given back to over twenty Veteran Families and sponsored local kids throughout the holiday season.
In 2018, the memorial fund was able to send a Gold Star Sibling Family of four on an all expense paid vacation to Disney World. This success began our annual Gold Star Sibling Disney Vacation Grant. The SGT Shane P. Duffy Memorial Fund seeks to send another deserving Gold Star Family on an unforgettable getaway.
