Jamie’s 14th birthday Celebration & Jamie’s Joy Events
From the service projects to the butterfly release were all a great success. Every act was a very meaningful display of how Jamie and his legacy continue to be a part of all our lives. This year’s theme was on Jamie’s quality of contagious child-like JOY!, but love, peace, and connection were also in the air as we transform personal tragedy through giving and service into a legacy that celebrates all of life.
Service Project: March 2010
Jamie’s Joy again participated in the Interfaith Shelter Network Project by serving up both food and entertainment, to a group that this year was hosted at Jamie’s own church, Christ Church Unity. We honored St. Patty’s Day (& Jamie’s Irish heritage) by having a fabulous Irish band play a jig or two. We had more volunteers than guests, but everyone had a great time. We talked with the shelter guests, prayed, ate dinner and then enjoyed the show together. Elene helped to coordinate the event for the church, and in her heart, it was all for Jamie’s Joy.
Bike Ride: April 24, 2010:
This was on the anniversary of Jamie’s passing making it extra special
We rode our 4th annual bike ride, by again participating in the Alpine Challenge ride through the Kiwanis Club of Alpine. Proceeds from this annual event go to Children’s’ Hospital and a local college fund. It is a fun challenge but enjoyable ride through the east county covering the neighborhoods of Alpine, Descanso, and others. After the ride is a picnic and a Kiwanis woman named Barbara took notice of our shirts and asked about Jamie. She was so touched by our story that she invited us to speak to the entire club. Hopefully, we can work more closely to support great causes by aligning with the Kiwanis in the future.
“Make a Joyful Noise” Benefit Concert: May 21, 2010
The second annual public fundraiser was held at Christ Church Unity. The night was a great success. TranscenDANCE the teen dance troupe from City Heights rocked the place with their blend of hip hop and modern dance moves that express social and community issues of our times. They were very energetic and had an impromptu verse to one of their tunes singing, “Go, Jamie, it’s your birthday” for about five minutes. It was moving, inspiring and a great tribute to how Jamie touches people he’s never met (in the physical form). Jamie’s slide show set to Karl’s tribute songs helped everyone to connect to the Spirit of Jamie through images and words that touch the heart. We also raised over $4500.00. We had over 100 persons in attendance at the event and many more who became aware of Jamie’s Joy through the news story covered by KUSI, on 91x (a PSA announcement was aired both Friday and Saturday), through visits to the website, and through all the community event ads that were posted throughout the San Diego area.
Jamie’s Way Clean Up: May 22,, 2010
The cleanup & planting of Jamie’s Way Canyon Park was another act of service by Jamie’s Joy for 2010. We got the park looking fantastic and then held a ceremony releasing 14 butterflies. At the end of our time together we shared how Jamie is still touching each of our lives.
Click here for photos of the event.
Jamie receives recognition from State and City officials
Both the City of San Diego from councilman Todd Gloria’s office and from the State Of California through state senator, Christine Kehoe’s Office Jamie’s Joy was recognized as making a difference in our community.
Jamie’s Joy received a Commendation from councilman Todd Gloria’s office. It reads “It is with great honor that I recognize Jamie’s Joy’s incredible commitment to the community. Your dedication to local non-profit organizations is exemplified in this year’s partnership with TranscenDANCE”.
From state senator, Christine Kehoe’s Office the Certificate of Recognition reads “In recognition of your ‘Make a Joyful Noise’ concert and great work over the last 8 years to remember Jamie and raise funds for non-profit organizations in San Diego County”.
Intention for Jamie’s Joy – 2010
“Jamie’s Joy will create the space for a joy-filled, playful event that honors Jamie’s 14th birthday, attracts more than 300 people, raises awareness of how to turn tragedy into meaningful service and raises over $4000 for Jamie’s Joy Memorial Fund.”
Thank You and thanks to all our corporate sponsors and donors for believing in Jamie and his Joy, and for helping to make this intention a reality
So much more than events: Jamie’s Joy is not a series of events, it is the story of how a little boy’s contagious spirit lives on past his short life into a legacy of Love, Joy, Peace, and Connection. It is a story of the family’s (including all of Jamie’s many family friends) journey from tragedy to healing through service and giving to the community. To continue to follow that story, to see how Jamie continues to touch all of our lives please visit our website again & again.
Links for all the organizations mentioned in this article are on our website. To help support all the vendors that made this year’s event possible please click here. And when you visit them, please tell them Jamie sent you!
Alpine Kiwanis
Azalea Park
Christ Church Unity
Christine Kehoe
Interfaith Shelter
Karl Anthony
KUSI
91.X
Todd Gloria
TranscenDANCE