First 2008 Update

I wanted to announce our first major purchase from Jacob's Gift has been delivered. I am just so excited, proud, thrilled to see the fruits of so many long hours. Last March, I had the idea of Jacob's Gift. It was going to be a once a year donation by Corey & I to the schools for the kids. I talked to my Luke's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Holl and asked her to check with the other teachers and let me know what is something they would like to have but knew may be difficult to ask for due to budgetary concerns. They all met and showed me the Alphasmart Neo Laptops.

The price was much more than my once a year donation could cover and hence Jacob's Gift was born. I just really wanted to do something to give back to these wonderful kids in our community in my son's name. I wanted to look back at those horrible times in the hospital and being told that he would die and say, "It's okay, I see the reason now".

My saying lately has been "Accept it and move on". I've faced some really interesting challenges even recently and I am pretty proud of myself I must say.

Anyway, back to what we purchased. I emailed the vice president of the company last April to see if these could be donated or discounted for our charity. Nothing could be done and I set off planning the Night at the Races. After our event, I emailed the VP again and was referred to the Regional Manager. He read my letter and say what we accomplished. (I was basically begging for any kind of discount). He gave me his own personal discount that he would use for his child's school. It amounted to $1,000 off so I was pretty excited.

We ordered 30 Alpha Smart Neo Laptops with the mobile lab cart. The teachers were so excited and I was there when some of them opened it. The kids can work on their writing skills, spelling, etc. and information can be downloaded to the teacher's computer. I'm going in soon to see them in action so I'll give more info then.

I recently ended up as our PTO President after being VP for the first 1/2 of the year. It's taking up some time away from some of my Jacob's Gift projects but I'm trying to keep my goals in sight. I recently collected gloves/mittens from friends to be sent to a local soldier in Afghanistan. His dad is our superintendent and I wanted to know what he may need for himself that we could collect. He said the children there need gloves. I'm sending out a flyer in the backpacks to see if other parents may want to help too.

I'm also in contact with the Echoing Ridge Residential Center again. They have a program called the ABC Project where residents there come in and read to the kids. They are special needs adults and many in wheelchairs. Corey & I adopted 2 of them for Christmas and went there with the kids Christmas Day to deliver presents. I really want my children to be comfortable talking to people with special needs. I could tell they were a little standoffish and with more exposure will be more understanding. I'm going to have them come into Luke and Lily's classes in February and see if it can expand to more then.

We're sponsoring some BOOST grants this year also. It's a grant that any teacher in K-12 can apply for. The school used to do them a few years ago. The school is helping me facilitate them so I'm excited to see what we get to review. I have a board of 2 parents and 2 teachers for Jacob's Gift so this will be their first "official" duty.

I'm really wanting to do something that will benefit some scholarships at the high school also. I have some ideas and if not this year, I can work on them for next.

We had 3 Senior football players here New Year's Eve to play with the kids out in the barn. There were at least 15 kiddos with them. I went to pay them at the end of their shift and they told me to donate it to Jacob's Gift. It is just so incredibly touching and makes me feel good that my own children can turn out to be such great gentlemen someday. Thanks so much to Tony Barkey, Kyle Ridenour & Paul Hensley.

Please read Jenni Trewin's blog off our our main page and continue to Pray for Ryan. They have some challenging times near and will need much support and prayers from their community. Ryan's such a great kid. He tried to run me over at school the other day in the bike he rides there. (He's such a funny kid!) Just pray for them, please.

I started a basketball open gym at my church just for women. I haven't play since my ACL tear injury game in 1988. (Yes, that's 20 years!!!) I'm actually not too bad. It kind of comes back to you. My friend that I played with in high school comes & plays and it's too funny. I really like it though.

That's all for now. Look for another Night at the Races coming this Fall. (If you'd like to help collect items or donate a basket/silent auction item let me know) It'll save me some legwork.

Thanks for checking in on Jacob's Gift and for supporting us!!!

Joanna