Second Saturday Shout-out: Jerron Hoffman & The Jessie Rees Foundation
For this month’s Second Saturday Shoutout we at Citriclean are choosing to recognize Jessie Rees and Jerron Hoffman who raised money and donated “joy jars” to kids battling cancer.
The Jessie Rees Foundation was started in 2011 while Jessie Rees battled cancer at the age of 12. She wanted to do something nice for other children who were enduring the same struggles. She began making Joy Jars filled with games and toys and sent them to over 3,000 cancer patients. She sadly passed away on January 5, 2012, but her legacy lives on through the charity she created. To date, over 400,000 joy jars have been received by kids fighting cancer all over the world. Her desire to do good, even with this strenuous battle she was facing, is honorable.
Jerron Hoffman is a 12 year old boy in Virginia who just recently lost his mom to neuroendocrine cancer. Similar to Jessie, he also desired to share some kindness and positivity to those who were struggling with cancer. Under the guidance of the Rees family, Hoffman and other volunteers will be participating in an event on October 8th, where joy jars will be packaged and sent out. Hoffman says he wants to tailor the toys and games to the children’s specific interests and likes because “every kid likes different kinds of toys.”
So far, Jerron Hoffman has raised $30,000 for the Jessie Rees Foundation.
Certain restaurants in the area, like McDonalds and Starbucks, are donating. food and refreshments for the October 8th charity event. Hoffman noted that anyone could donate to or volunteer for the event so that there can be a big turn out and they can really accomplish a lot.
You really see a person’s true colors when they are faced with something as serious as cancer. For Jessie Rees to have battled cancer and Hoffman to watch his mom battle it, and both decide that they wanted to help and inspire others is truly amazing. We thank them both for their service, along with Jessie Rees family for continuing the movement even after her passing. Jessie’s life motto was NEGU, which stands for Never Ever Give Up, and we believe how important it is to follow that in all aspects of life.
If you want to get involved and donate or read up on the Jessie Rees Foundation, you can find the link at the bottom of the article.
Jerron Hoffman, his brother, and his mother before she passed away from cancer
A recipient of the Joy Jar showing off all of the toys and games