Farewell to Take a Stand

Dear JSRF friends,

 

We realize it's been a while since we last reached out, but know that we at Jeremy Stom Remembrance Foundation have been busy keeping Jeremy's legacy and memory alive by focusing on our mission:

"Empowering under-resourced adolescents to Experience Hope by sponsoring participation in recreational activities enabling them to learn life survival skills and grow independently, spiritually, and intellectually."

 

In late September this past year, the Take A Stand (TAS) group invited us to join them for a farewell dinner.  After dinner TAS members read a beautiful thank you speech, then presented JSRF a donation for just over $1,700. We ended the emotional evening by releasing balloons into the warm autumn night sky filled with bright stars.

 

This amazing group warmed our hearts and souls from the first day we met them in 2012. Their passion, eagerness, and dedication to change the stigma of addiction and create awareness were truly remarkable. We are forever grateful to this incredible group and wish them continued success as they embark on different journeys. 

 

In just over three years TAS raised nearly $8,000 for the Jeremy Stom Remembrance Foundation.

 

Peace, Love & Gratitude,

Ciri, Scott & Sayra 

As I was wrapping Christmas gifts for Jean's sons with a heavy heart I received a call from the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps asking whether JSRF could sponsor a teen in their Sea Cadet program.  Needless to say this call could not have come at a better time and offer such a fitting way to sponsor our last teen for the year 2015!  For those new to Jeremy's foundation, JSRF strives to sponsor sons and daughters of Veterans and military families to also honor the memory of Jeremy's brother Jean, who was a Veteran of the 82nd Army Airborne Division and lost his life in 2010. Not only was I reminded not to lose hope, more importantly Jeremy's foundation helped another teen Experience Hope.  Here is an excerpt from a testimonial by this hopeful Sea Cadet, age 15: 

 

"I wanted to thank you so much for this. I appreciate it so much and I promise to make the most of the opportunity you've given me. I aspire to be a corpsman in the Navy and you've given me the chance to get out there, explore my options and get on my way. I am fully aware of your foundation and I just want you to know that what you're doing is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much, once again."

We are delighted to share with you that in 2015 in addition to sponsoring 10 teens for resident camps, JSRF also sponsored 5 teens in a variety of other activities - from helping a homeless teen attend a school field trip to Washington, D.C., to helping teens participate on a youth football team and cheerleading squad, to sending a teen to Sea Cadet recruit training camp.   As if that wasn't enough, JSRF sponsored the entire track team (~15-20 teens) at Chicago Jesuit Academy , which educates children who are living in material poverty and may have experienced violence in their neighborhoods. 

These sponsorships were made possible through your generous private donations; support of our Giving Tuesday campaign on December 1st raising $707; our sold-out Bliss Wine event on December 6th raising $1,066; and our TreeTime fundraiser through the holiday season raising $197!  

Together we will possibly save a life...