We could not fulfill Jessie’s mission without the help of incredible volunteers around the nation. Check out this story on one of our incredible volunteers that is helping us spread joy!
Question: How did you first hear about Jessie and her story?
Answer: I do attend Saddleback church, so I first heard her story when she got up and spoke with her dad. My daughter, Lindsay, and son-in-law, Skip Schumaker, Cincinnati Reds outfielder, then wanted to get involved and give back to charities and she found the Jessie Rees Foundation on the internet, and Skip got really excited about it. That’s how I initially heard about the foundation. Then Skip puts on a baseball clinic during winter break and gets 5 or 6 other professional baseball players to help and donates all the proceeds to NEGU. Then my daughter and I came in to stuff JoyJars during christmas time and once you finish stuffing a JoyJar your hearts here.
Q: What duties have you had while volunteering at the Jessie Rees Foundation?
A: When I initially started it was at Christmas time so we had an assembly line set up to stuff all the jars, so that’s how I started. Then I began coming on a regular basis on Tuesday and Thursday 9 am – 4pm. I eventually did so many jars that they asked me to focus on birthday jars and the individual jars, which is where we have the childs name, their age, and what they like (colors, princesses, super heroes, etc). This gives us a chance to stuff the JoyJars with exactly what they like.
Q: What is the most memorable toy that you have stuffed in a Joy Jar?
A: One of my favorite JoyJars was for a little girl who liked monkeys, jewelry, and was a girly-girl. So I had a purple monkey and decide to dress it up with a necklace, earrings, and a ring. I also stuffed the jar with a purple beanie and purple socks. I just felt so blessed that I found everything that this little girl could have wanted.
Q: If you could choose a crayon color to describe yourself, what would it be?
A: Red. High energy, bold, and passionate. I taught Physical Education for a private school for many years, so you could never put me behind a desk. That’s why I love my job at the Jessie Rees Foundation, because I’m moving all the time.
Q: If you were on an island, could only bring 3 items, what would they be?
A: I would bring my family, my bible, and music.
If she could take one more item it would be her jogging shoes.
Q: What’s a favorite memory of yours while volunteering at the foundation?
A: There’s been a lot! Especially, when a courageous kid comes into the Joy Factory and I can take them to the back room to pick out a toy. Like today we had a little boy come in and it was his birthday and we hunted together to find the perfect gift for him. You just look at these little people and you just hope and pray the best for them. Another one would be when you look on the internet where you see a child who has opened up a jar that you’ve stuff and you just see the joy on their faces, thats makes me feel blessed.
Q: If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
A: To heal.
Q: Would you rather (Jessie loved these!)… Never shower again OR Never brush your teeth again?
A: Never brush my teeth 🙂