This week, I had the opportunity to give $4000 to families in need. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters, CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation has had a wonderful year. At the December board meeting, our Board of Directors voted to award all eight families on the waiting list with Financial Assistance Grants.
This means that, to date, CJSTUF has provided over 100 families with financial assistance, either through grants or emergency aid since its founding in January 2010. These families face incredible challenges. One child has a breathing tube and g-tube (feeding tube) and relies on round-the-clock care by her family and nursing support. One girl is less than two years old and is facing multiple open-heart surgeries. Half of the recipients are battling cancer, facing multiple hospitalizations with intensive medications and therapies.
While $500 will not solve any family's financial woes, that amount of money can make such a substantial difference. These grants are providing assistance to pay utility bills and rent. One grant will help a family place a deposit on a new apartment. They have been living with other family members for over a year. These grants also help provide assurance to our families: they are not alone. The community cares about their needs. We are here to help.
On a selfish note, these grants give me a way to pay it forward. We keep Charlotte's spirit alive through the work of the foundation. Every time I write a check to these families and address their envelopes, I think of my own inspirational butterfly.
Thank you for helping to make all of this possible.
Rachel
Co-founder & Executive Director
CJSTUF