Unbeknownst to us, the JSP Children’s Foundation began two weeks prior to Jack's death.

On Sunday, December 19th, 2004 the mad Christmas dash to “get and grab” was in full force and we had had enough! We decided to take Macie and Jack shopping for Christmas toys to give away to children who were in the hospital over Christmas. We didn’t want to put the toys in a generic box at the school to give away to unseen, unknown, needy children. We wanted our children to be able to hand a toy to a child who was in need. We wanted our children to receive the personal joy of giving.

We loaded our SUV full of toys and took them to the children’s wing of our local hospital. It was there that I was privileged to witness the “great exchange” of giving and receiving. With the encouragement of his dad, sister, and the nurses, Jack took “cool” toys from the shopping bags and gave them out to the children. One boy (who was about 8 or 9) was waiting patiently by the door in anticipation of his gift. As Jack and Macie got to his door, Jack reached into the shopping bag and found a Power Ranger action figure.

It was clear that Jack wanted the toy for himself. He didn’t keep it, though, as badly as he wanted to because he knew this boy needed it more than he did himself. Jack offered the toy up to the boy who smiled and said, “Thanks.” I saw Jack’s bashful, boyish grin and it was then that I knew Jack had received the gift of giving. When we came home I told my wife that Jack had “gotten it” and had really understood the joy one gets when he gives.

It was the day before the funeral when we remembered what he had done at the hospital only days before. We realized that we did not want people to give us flowers that would die in a few short days. Rather, we asked that a donation be sent to Jack’s Wee School for a playground expansion or a check be sent to a charity in honor of Jack. Over the next few months, checks and acknowledgements from other charities began to come in by the multitudes.

It was never our intention to start a foundation. However, once the funds were gathered we felt a huge obligation to not only honor Jack, but to honor God and honor those who entrusted us to properly manage the money they had so generously given. The impact of the gifts forced us to open a Donor Advised Fund under the National Christian Foundation. We were compelled to use the money to make a difference to children and families who were in need.