It’s here! Summer (the 1st “official” day of Summer, that is) is finally here!
Yippeeeee! Summer!
In addition to school nearly being over for the year, Jake’s excited about all the donations he’s been getting!
We received an email from Supervisor John Cook‘s office on Monday telling us that the collection box had some items in it and a note! How mysterious!!
Thank YOU, Jeanette!
We headed over to Kings Park Library (where Supervisor Cook’s office is located) to pick up the items and the note.  The note was from “neighbor and friend” Jeanette, who thanked Jake for his role in helping kids in foster care in our community by supporting Comfort Cases.
Jeanette, we are thankful for generous friends and neighbors like yourself!!
The school year is winding down and summer is revving up … and Jake has an additional spot for you to drop off toiletries for his Comfort Cases collection project!
Dropping off a collection box
In the Braddock District Supervisor’s office
Located inside Kings Park Library!
You can drop NEW toiletry items at the office of Braddock District Supervisor John Cook in Burke, VA; his office is open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) and is located in the Kings Park Library at 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015.
Jake is happy to report that he has already received some donations to his project, both monetary and supplies! Jake wishes to thank all his generous friends: Ms. Laura, Ms. Martha, and Ms. Gwendolyn for the donations made directly to Comfort Cases; Ms. Suzanne and Ms. Courtney at PEATC, for their recent contribution of toiletries; and Ms. Tina for the toiletries she saved from a recent trip!
Thanks, Ms. Tina!
Thank you, Ms. Suzanne at PEATC!
Thanks, Ms. Courtney at PEATC!
Jake is really forward to sorting all the toiletries collected so far! But, please keep collecting them as you travel this summer … he’ll be in collecting mode through early September!
Jake knows summer is coming and he knows that means vacation and traveling for many folks. And for some of you, it might mean a hotel stay. And if you are a Washington Redskins player, like Jake’s buddy Nick Sundberg, it means an extended hotel stay while you are at training camp!!
You end up with a lot of toiletries after you attend training camp!!
Jake also knows that people often travel for work. He knows that many of my PEATC colleagues travel to various locations across Virginia to train parents of children with Special Needs and/or children receiving Special Education services.
If your plans in the near future involve a hotel stay, for business or pleasure, Jake would like you to save your toiletry items for him.
Why does a 12-year-old with Autism & ADHD need toiletries? Well, they are not for Jake, but for Comfort Cases!
Comfort Cases is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides children ages 0-18 who are in the foster care system with a bag filled with essential needs as well as comfort items.
So … back to toiletries!!!
If you are familiar with Jake, you may be aware that he is a fan of logos, branding, and graphics. He also likes sorting, counting, and categorizing. When given a big bag of toiletries, he loves nothing better than looking at what hotel chain they came from and then sorting into categories by type. It is a task that appeals to his sense of order and structure, not to mention the visual elements.
Sooooooo … all this to say … Jake would love it if you’d save those toiletries that you were more than likely stuff into *that* drawer in your home and forget about … and give them to Jake as part of his collection project for Comfort Cases.
Shampoo & Conditioner
Not traveling but still want to help Jake’s project and Comfort Cases? Well, they are also looking for the following NEW items to supply to kids and youth entering foster care:
Small duffel bags/backpacks
Pajamas/Sleepwear – Sizes Newborn through Adult XXL
Small Blankets – Up to Throw Size (40″ x 60″)
Toothbrushes – Youth & Adult
Stuffed Animals
Coloring Books
Crayons
Journals
Pens & Pencils
Books
If you’d like to learn more about the genesis of Comfort Cases and founder Rob Scheer, please check out his story from his interview on the Today Show:
If you are interested in supporting Jake in his effort to show that kids (even kids with disAbilities) can help other kids, please leave a comment on this post or reach out to me via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram so we can coordinate pickup/delivery of donations.
We are hoping to arrange some drop off locations, so please stay tuned!
So, Happy Travelling, and remember the kids entering foster care who would take so much comfort in something so simple!
Well, ready or not, the Christmas and Holiday rush is really going to start in earnest now.
So, if you haven’t already, would you please consider helping Jake to make the season a little brighter for kids who are not able to spend the holidays at home? Â Jake is working hard to collect fleece to make blankets during the Dreams For Kids DC (DFKDC)Â upcoming
Jake and other DFKDC participants will transform into volunteers during this event, participating in activities (such as assembling blankets) that will benefit others in our community!
To date, Jake has collected about 5 1/2 yards of solid colored fleece and about 22 3/4 yards of printed fleece.Â
He has enough print fleece to make a single side of 15 blankets (in sizes from toddler to young adult) and enough solid fleece to complete 3 blankets;Â would need 12 “matching” sizes of solid colors to make 15 total blankets.
Sizes of Printed Fleece
– 8Â x 1 1/2 yards (need 7 solid pieces to complete)
– 2 x 1 2/3 yards (need 2 solid pieces to complete)
– 2 x 2 yards (COMPLETE)
– 2 x 1 yards (need 2 solid pieces to complete)
– 1 x 1 1/3 yards (need 1 solid piece to complete)
Picking up fleece at Wal-Mart
$2.67/yard!
Jake will continue to collect fleece (or donations to purchase fleece) through December 16.
Please DM me or contact Glenda Fu if you are interested in donating to this project!
It’s been a while since I updated this blog, and I will need to go back and document a few events from the summer months, but right now, I’m going to write about Jake’s continued commitment to #GivingBack.
As soon as school ended in June, we began talking about what sort of things Jake could do as a community service / community giving project. He told me that he wanted to do it again this year.
Because of his purses and toiletry items last year, he’s gained a reputation as the “travel toiletry kid”; most of my colleagues at PEATC travel extensively throughout Virginia during the summer months conducting special education related training, and they saved their items for Jake. Our family traveled in the summer and Jake’s aide traveled as well, so we added more to Jake’s collection efforts. To top it off, Jake’s pal Nick Sundberg of the Washington Redskins had an extended stay at the Omni in Richmond during Training Camp and saved a shopping bag full of toiletry items for Jake! Jake is thankful for all these items, and these toiletries will be a part of the giving as a result of the Dreams For Kids DC (DFKDC) Holiday Celebration.
Thank you, Nick Sundberg!
But, in talking with DFKDC‘s Executive Director, we came upon another idea of a project that would involve kids “giving back” to other kids!
This year, Jake is collecting fleece to make blankets for the children who are patients at Inova Children’s Hospital.
When we talked about it, Jake liked the idea of making kids feel better. He could relate to the idea that when you are at the hospital you might be missing your home and all the things you are used to having around. So, making something that feels comfortable and cozy seemed like a great idea, and one that DFKDC participants and volunteers can help to make during the DFKDC Holiday Celebration.
The 2016 DFKDC Holiday Celebration isn’t just a party, it’s an opportunity!
During the DFKDC Holiday Celebration, DFKDC participants and their families will be transformed into community givers and volunteers! With the assistance of other DFKDC volunteers, the DFKDC participants will take part in activities such as making holiday cards, assembling gift bags, and wrapping presents. They will also enjoy lunch, entertainment, and I’d be willing to bet, a little dancing!!!
Just as he did last year, Jake wants to demonstrate that DFKDC participants are able and interested in community service and community giving, and, most importantly, that their disAbilities aren’t a barrier to the giving spirit!
Jake excited about helping DFKDC make sure that other kids will have a happy holiday as a result of the event, but he could use your help!
Between now and December 15, 2016, Jake will be collecting fleece (or the means to purchase fleece) to make blankets for pediatric patients at Inova Children’s Hospital.
The fleece blankets can be made for teens, kids, or toddlers; each blanket consists of 2 pieces of fleece, typically a print and a coordinating solid color:
Teen blanket: 2 X 2 yards of fabric
Kids blanket: 2 X 1.5 yards of fabric
Toddler blanket: 2 X 1 yard of fabric
Jake has already received a few contributions to his project, but he could use your assistance to provide the kids at Inova children’s Hospital with something cuddly and cozy to hold.
2016 DFKDC Prom: “Under the Sea”. What a fun night! It was great to see all the Dreams for Kids DC participants, friends, families, and volunteers enjoy themselves in what may typically be a tricky social situation.
Both Jake and Sofia enjoyed being on the dance floor thanks to Pelonkey‘s DJ Neekola and her great beats! I enjoyed seeing the smiles, especially on the faces of the ‪#‎DFKDC‬ participants.
I am appreciative beyond words can adequately express how thankful I am for the Dreams for Kids organization serving the DMV under the leadership of the amazing Glenda Fu and her “All Hands On Deck” board members. They allow me to witness things that I would have never imagined possible when Jake was diagnosed with Autism.Â
I am equally grateful that DFKDC routinely includes siblings in their activities … I think this participation is a great way to grow the next generation of ‪disability/special needs ‪advocates … and just all around good people!
Following their recognition as “Participants of the Year at the DFKDCHoliday Celebration, both Jake and Sofia have had an increased dedication to raising awareness about Dreams for Kids DC programs!
Last month, DFKDC’s Executive Director, Glenda Fu, approached me with the idea for Jake and Sofie to “ask” local celebrity volunteers to the prom.
In Sofia’s case, she’s had a long-standing connection with Washington Redskins‘ Long Snapper, Nick Sundberg, so she shot a video invite him to the prom.
Jake thinks Dreams For Kids DC is “so great” to help Dress For Success!
I often wonder what is going on inside Jake’s head … he often requires prompting to respond when others speak to him. Â And when he does speak, he has a reputation of not being the most “reliable witness”, as I like to say …. he has Echolalia (fairly typical for individuals with Autism) and tends to repeat the last thing he hears.
But, when Jake initiates a “conversation”, it’s very intentional … so it’s important to listen carefully.
On Monday morning, following our visit to the Dress For Success boutique, he was talking about all the different things he saw there, referring to it as “the thrift store”. He mentioned all the purses and bags we dropped off, but he was equally interested in listing the other items, such as belts, shoes, pants, skirts, and makeup.
I asked some clarifying questions, and, with Jake’s input, determined that:
Jake wants to continue to help Dress For Success in conjunction with Dreams For Kids DC
We should ask some clarifying questions of our own ….
Following the incredible time we had at the DFKDCHoliday Celebration on Saturday, December 19, 2015, it was time to share all the gifts created, donated, collected, wrapped, decorated, and stuffed. Volunteers like Jake helped to distribute the gifts, cards, ornaments, and other items to area recipients.  Jake helped to deliver 300+ purses and bags stuffed with toiletries to the Dress For Success boutique in Washington, DC.
We met with Kelli Jones to deliver the purses and bags and to get a look at how Dress For Success helps women in the Washington DC area.
Jake with Kelli Jones
Jake likened the Dress For Success boutique to a “thrift store” … he enjoys “thrifting” (thrift store shopping) quite a bit. He views all the items as NEW, since they are new to him. He’s my favorite shopping companion … he seems to enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” almost as much as I do!
Well, all that to say that Jake seems keenly interested in continuing to help Dress For Success via Dreams for Kids DC … STAY TUNED!!!!!!
In out house alone, we currently have 1400+ toiletry items, which means we will be able to “stuff” at least 14 items per purse!!
As Jake’s mom, I have immeasurable gratitude to Glenda Fu, Executive Director of DFKDC for recognizing Jake (and sister, Sofia) as “Outstanding DFKDC Participants” … who could have predicted that the recognition of an 11 year old boy with Autism as an “Outstanding Participant” would have:
led to a desire to “do something for the adults” in honor of the Christmas holidays
led to such an outpouring of generosity from folks near and far, family, friends, and strangers alike
led to a greater sense of not only self-advocacy, but of advocacy for others
led to a greater recognition by others of the abilities of kids like Jake, not just their disabilities
Dreams For Kids DC (DFKDC) – you can proudly say “mission accomplished” … you have provided life-changing activities and opportunities that have empowered Jake to interact with members of the community, both with and without disabilities, and to compassionately change his little corner of the world for the better.
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