Our charity will be on hold for awhile while I apply for a 501(c)3 charitable organization designation through the IRS. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished at Northwest Schools. 270 computers being donated by the Veteran's Administration now will have hard drives installed paid, in part, by our charity.
Corey & I have decided to open-enroll our children at Chippewa Local Schools. I am an alumni. It was a tough decision but one we feel is best for us at this time.
We continue to participate in this community as we can. We have made some great friends and have appreciated the support of those who were able to be a part of Jacob's Gift.
Joanna
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Donation
I sat down tonight to write a letter to Nikki Metzger. I used stationary I had from when Jacob died. I only have a few pieces left and use for special reasons. Jacob's Gift is donating $500 to a scholarship at Northwest in memory of Gregg Metzger.
This is so completely bittersweet. Just last year, Gregg thanked me publicly at a Northwest School Board meeting (he was a member) for our donation of laptops to the elementary school. He said "Joanna, you rock!". I thought that was so wonderful of him to do that & with so much energy. He also bought a NW fball jersey for me to wear before the first game in '08. He dropped it off at 9:00pm on his way to work because he wanted me to have it for the game. Now, I am donating funds for a memorial scholarship for him. It's hard to believe.
You see, people like him are far & few between unfortunately. We all aspire to be positive, giving, caring, charitable, compassionate, etc. It takes work to want to help your community & trudge through the resistance that is there. Gregg was willing to do that. Now, Nikki is.
I am a better person for knowing him. I will continue to help Nikki raise funds for his scholarship if she would like me to. I know Gregg would have done the same for me.
This is so completely bittersweet. Just last year, Gregg thanked me publicly at a Northwest School Board meeting (he was a member) for our donation of laptops to the elementary school. He said "Joanna, you rock!". I thought that was so wonderful of him to do that & with so much energy. He also bought a NW fball jersey for me to wear before the first game in '08. He dropped it off at 9:00pm on his way to work because he wanted me to have it for the game. Now, I am donating funds for a memorial scholarship for him. It's hard to believe.
You see, people like him are far & few between unfortunately. We all aspire to be positive, giving, caring, charitable, compassionate, etc. It takes work to want to help your community & trudge through the resistance that is there. Gregg was willing to do that. Now, Nikki is.
I am a better person for knowing him. I will continue to help Nikki raise funds for his scholarship if she would like me to. I know Gregg would have done the same for me.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Community in Unity
This morning I had the honor of being part of something really special. I ran in the Rotary 5k. What was so great was all the people wearing yellow Livin Strong for Gregg t-shirts. We ended up selling over 300 t-shirts that the Metzger family will be seeing around town for quite some time. His wife Nikki & their families are so incredibly kind and I know they appreciated all the support our community showed them today. It was just so wonderful.
Shelbi's Sweets & Treats truck was there too. I'm going to spend more time helping this great cause as well.
This week we had two residents from Echoing Ridge come in again to the elementary. They have cerebral palsy & it was so neat to watch the kids become comfortable talking to them.
My PTO days are winding down. A new president has been elected & our kids are moving on. I am leaving it in more than capable hands. We have been able to give the Northwest kids some really fun events.
Jacob's Gift will be in a transition mode for awhile. A certain resident of Clinton has made my life pretty miserable since January. His paranoia that our charity somehow is using taxpayer dollars has created a situation where I must move our charity from the schools. I'm working on setting up a 501(c)3 but it will take time & money. I will get to it when I can & recreate my charity as well as the goals of it. We will still benefit kids mostly. They are what's important.
In our two years in existence, we have been able to donate $20,000 back to this community. We are currently helping get 200 computers donated to Northwest. 200 much needed computers!
I am beyond disappointed that this recent levy failed. For the life of me, I cannot understand any parent in our district that would vote no. I will be challenging these people as I know names & overhear conversations that leave me so angry. I have spent countless hours away from my family on levy committees, with our charity, PTO, etc. trying to make this community come together and be better. I see what goes on inside the schools and I can't believe any parent would not want to support that. We kind of knew a few years ago when a renewal levy failed that there may be a lack of community support for the schools. Unfortunately, we were correct. Times are tough, I know. They are also tough for the school. No new money since '92. I took my children to the rally on Monday. My son, Luke said after it failed "Mom, we did all that for nothing?" Well, no we showed our support. We tried. I watched our bus driver pull up with tears in her eyes & I could tell she had been crying alot. She lost her job. Just makes me so sad.
I'll continue to do what I can to volunteer, promote volunteering and helping others. I hope I have inspired some to do the same. :-)
Until next time.
Joanna
Shelbi's Sweets & Treats truck was there too. I'm going to spend more time helping this great cause as well.
This week we had two residents from Echoing Ridge come in again to the elementary. They have cerebral palsy & it was so neat to watch the kids become comfortable talking to them.
My PTO days are winding down. A new president has been elected & our kids are moving on. I am leaving it in more than capable hands. We have been able to give the Northwest kids some really fun events.
Jacob's Gift will be in a transition mode for awhile. A certain resident of Clinton has made my life pretty miserable since January. His paranoia that our charity somehow is using taxpayer dollars has created a situation where I must move our charity from the schools. I'm working on setting up a 501(c)3 but it will take time & money. I will get to it when I can & recreate my charity as well as the goals of it. We will still benefit kids mostly. They are what's important.
In our two years in existence, we have been able to donate $20,000 back to this community. We are currently helping get 200 computers donated to Northwest. 200 much needed computers!
I am beyond disappointed that this recent levy failed. For the life of me, I cannot understand any parent in our district that would vote no. I will be challenging these people as I know names & overhear conversations that leave me so angry. I have spent countless hours away from my family on levy committees, with our charity, PTO, etc. trying to make this community come together and be better. I see what goes on inside the schools and I can't believe any parent would not want to support that. We kind of knew a few years ago when a renewal levy failed that there may be a lack of community support for the schools. Unfortunately, we were correct. Times are tough, I know. They are also tough for the school. No new money since '92. I took my children to the rally on Monday. My son, Luke said after it failed "Mom, we did all that for nothing?" Well, no we showed our support. We tried. I watched our bus driver pull up with tears in her eyes & I could tell she had been crying alot. She lost her job. Just makes me so sad.
I'll continue to do what I can to volunteer, promote volunteering and helping others. I hope I have inspired some to do the same. :-)
Until next time.
Joanna
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Latest Update
Two events to write updates about. We've been busy. One is the Knights & Super Heroes Ball that was held on Feb. 21st at Elm Ridge Party Center. We had over 100 children mostly up to the age of 10. Billy the Kid did another great magic act. This year he juggled swords & flaming batons. The kids were excited & some a bit scared! lol They danced along with their parents which was so much fun. We had alot more prizes too which they loved. Thanks to Pizza Hut for donating pizza! Jacob's Gift donated funds to pay for the DJ & magician. The PTO provided cookies & decorations. Great community event.
Today we had our elementary carnival for the PTO. I'm whooped but it went really well as last year. Jacob's Gift paid for the bounce house & speed pitch game. This is the only fundraiser for the PTO. Over 60 high school students came and volunteered to run over 20 games. We had parents, teachers & our principal volunteer too. We invited the local preschools & it was nice to see them come. Another great community event.
Taking a little break for now. The PTO has book fair/ice cream social coming right before spring break. Then we have Munchin With Mom & NW Pride day before school is out. This will be my last year as PTO President at the Elementary as I will not have a child in that school next year.
If you read this, please say a prayer for Gregg Metzger and his family. He is a friend and also a school board member at Northwest. He's in his 30's with a wife & 3 young children and is battling cancer. He's the most wonderful guy you could meet and I respect him so much. He was so kind in supporting us when we were launching Jacob's Gift.
Until next time....
Joanna
Today we had our elementary carnival for the PTO. I'm whooped but it went really well as last year. Jacob's Gift paid for the bounce house & speed pitch game. This is the only fundraiser for the PTO. Over 60 high school students came and volunteered to run over 20 games. We had parents, teachers & our principal volunteer too. We invited the local preschools & it was nice to see them come. Another great community event.
Taking a little break for now. The PTO has book fair/ice cream social coming right before spring break. Then we have Munchin With Mom & NW Pride day before school is out. This will be my last year as PTO President at the Elementary as I will not have a child in that school next year.
If you read this, please say a prayer for Gregg Metzger and his family. He is a friend and also a school board member at Northwest. He's in his 30's with a wife & 3 young children and is battling cancer. He's the most wonderful guy you could meet and I respect him so much. He was so kind in supporting us when we were launching Jacob's Gift.
Until next time....
Joanna
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Check out our article!
The Canton Repository wrote a really nice article on us. You can check it out on their website under the Canal Fulton Community tab. I had written all my peeps & asked them to have my back if the negative bloggers attack. lol
I again have to say I appreciate so very much my wonderful friends, men & women alike, we have in this community. They are so incredibly supportive to us, it's so helpful and comforting.
I write about negative bloggers because even our Kiss the Pig event was blogged about. People were concerned about the condition of the pig. I was mortified when I read it because I didn't want the pigs owners to ever see it. They are so very kind and actually rescued that pig. I just think there are times when you don't need to share your comments unless asked to do so. I see them with Piglet & they are so loving. The kids loved seeing their teachers kiss an actual pig. It's such a cute event. The school raised over $1,300 to help our service men and women with plane fare home.
The article didn't mention it but Jeff Rhodes of Studio Rhodes Photography is taking free photos again. Also, the Dawsons are donating Elm Ridge again. I mentioned all of you, really! I thank them so very much.
We have 100 volunteers on our baking list but about 20 of them are baking for this event. She had mentioned all 100 are baking for this which would be alot of cookies. lol :-)
I do appreciate the article and the reporter was extremely kind as well as the photographer. I love the photo of some of the items in Jacob's memory box. It's such a trip down memory lane.
I'm so excited about the dance this Saturday. Tickets are selling great & we will have a full house again. No child will be turned away. It's a nice community event for our kids during such a rough and uncertain time.
I'll write after Saturday!
Joanna
I again have to say I appreciate so very much my wonderful friends, men & women alike, we have in this community. They are so incredibly supportive to us, it's so helpful and comforting.
I write about negative bloggers because even our Kiss the Pig event was blogged about. People were concerned about the condition of the pig. I was mortified when I read it because I didn't want the pigs owners to ever see it. They are so very kind and actually rescued that pig. I just think there are times when you don't need to share your comments unless asked to do so. I see them with Piglet & they are so loving. The kids loved seeing their teachers kiss an actual pig. It's such a cute event. The school raised over $1,300 to help our service men and women with plane fare home.
The article didn't mention it but Jeff Rhodes of Studio Rhodes Photography is taking free photos again. Also, the Dawsons are donating Elm Ridge again. I mentioned all of you, really! I thank them so very much.
We have 100 volunteers on our baking list but about 20 of them are baking for this event. She had mentioned all 100 are baking for this which would be alot of cookies. lol :-)
I do appreciate the article and the reporter was extremely kind as well as the photographer. I love the photo of some of the items in Jacob's memory box. It's such a trip down memory lane.
I'm so excited about the dance this Saturday. Tickets are selling great & we will have a full house again. No child will be turned away. It's a nice community event for our kids during such a rough and uncertain time.
I'll write after Saturday!
Joanna
Friday, February 6, 2009
Please stop & say a prayer....
for baby Caroline & her family. I had blogged earlier about her. She passed away at the NICU last Saturday. Her mom & I had been in contact during her short life. I felt really honored to be able to share what I thought may be helpful to her if she lost Caroline. The best thing was that she received a memory box Lily, my 7 year old daughter, had painted a few months ago when I took some girls to Children's. Lily's box had a garden scene and I just knew a bereaved family would just love to put their baby's treasures in it.
My friend Nancy who is a nurse there told me she gave it to Caroline's family & I just cried. It's so great to know it went to them. Lily is so happy & proud too.
Joanna
My friend Nancy who is a nurse there told me she gave it to Caroline's family & I just cried. It's so great to know it went to them. Lily is so happy & proud too.
Joanna
Friday, January 30, 2009
Just trying to do something positive......
Honestly, I am really just a person who would like to do something good for Northwest and the kids here. I have worked so extremely hard since March of '07 when we launched Jacob's Gift to create a charity that I can be proud of. A charity that can give back to our youth.
I blog about where our money goes but do not put out large press releases. We have privately donated to families in need. Most recently a single mom with 2 children working two jobs. We have made it possible to have family friendly events where parents come together with their children. We have made it possible for countless numbers of students to volunteer at safe events supervised by me to show them what it means to give back.
I am currently working with 3 other non-profit charities to help them with their fundraising by sharing all my documents I've used for our Night at the Races as well as getting theirs up and running. I'm helping a mom at Children's Hospital go through what may end up the loss of her baby in the NICU.
I am passionate about what I do and I love it. Why someone would pay for an ad which questions my charity about a donation to Code Red is beyond me. Why this person failed to contact my treasurer or myself about this donation is beyond me. Why this person is accusing my charity of being some kind of "front" for the school to donate to Code Red is beyond me. I donated to Code Red because saving our schools is important to our youth. The school was kind enough to host my fund and help get me off and running. I do not have separate checks that say Jacob's Gift. Our money is separate from the school's. Our money is private donations only, no taxpayer dollars.
I was so completely disheartened when I read this paid advertisement that appeared in the Independent yesterday. I will never write the persons name here, they don't deserve my keystroke.
My good Catholic friend Julie Barkey has always told me, "Where there is good, the devil will show up". It is so true but I will not be deterred. I know what we are doing in our son's memory is such a positive thing. I know when I take girls up to Children's to paint memory boxes for parents who have babies in the NICU, it's a wonderful thing. I know when we can have events like the dance on Feb. 21st and seeing all those kids dressed up with their parents, it's a wonderful thing.
I sincerely thank all my wonderful friends in this community who have been so supportive especially these last 2 days. I have truly made some awesome friendships.
I will continue to support Northwest and will vote Yes Tuesday.
Peace, love and joy to all (at least all who are nice people),
Joanna
I blog about where our money goes but do not put out large press releases. We have privately donated to families in need. Most recently a single mom with 2 children working two jobs. We have made it possible to have family friendly events where parents come together with their children. We have made it possible for countless numbers of students to volunteer at safe events supervised by me to show them what it means to give back.
I am currently working with 3 other non-profit charities to help them with their fundraising by sharing all my documents I've used for our Night at the Races as well as getting theirs up and running. I'm helping a mom at Children's Hospital go through what may end up the loss of her baby in the NICU.
I am passionate about what I do and I love it. Why someone would pay for an ad which questions my charity about a donation to Code Red is beyond me. Why this person failed to contact my treasurer or myself about this donation is beyond me. Why this person is accusing my charity of being some kind of "front" for the school to donate to Code Red is beyond me. I donated to Code Red because saving our schools is important to our youth. The school was kind enough to host my fund and help get me off and running. I do not have separate checks that say Jacob's Gift. Our money is separate from the school's. Our money is private donations only, no taxpayer dollars.
I was so completely disheartened when I read this paid advertisement that appeared in the Independent yesterday. I will never write the persons name here, they don't deserve my keystroke.
My good Catholic friend Julie Barkey has always told me, "Where there is good, the devil will show up". It is so true but I will not be deterred. I know what we are doing in our son's memory is such a positive thing. I know when I take girls up to Children's to paint memory boxes for parents who have babies in the NICU, it's a wonderful thing. I know when we can have events like the dance on Feb. 21st and seeing all those kids dressed up with their parents, it's a wonderful thing.
I sincerely thank all my wonderful friends in this community who have been so supportive especially these last 2 days. I have truly made some awesome friendships.
I will continue to support Northwest and will vote Yes Tuesday.
Peace, love and joy to all (at least all who are nice people),
Joanna
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