Category Archives: Birthday Celebrations

25

May 24, 2021

Dear Jamie,

Today is your 25th birthday. Is that something to celebrate? Or is it time to grieve more since you have not been here for over 19 years?

Something that your mom and I have talked about is the way so many things are not simply “either/or,” but are instead “both/and.” This is one of those times for me. So yes, I am both (celebrating, appreciating, grateful, full of love) and (grieving, feeling loss, and a little mournful.)

Truthfully, though, my focus today has been leaning a little more toward that celebration side of things. I am so appreciating your presence in my life, both in that warm and affectionate body you had, but also in this bodiless form you have been in for so long.

A few things I am feeling grateful for today:

~ Sydney, your kindergarten girlfriend, who has become my close friend and “daughter-in-law,” and who stopped by this morning with vegan donuts and a beautiful handwritten note and laughter for the house and so much love and vibrance.

~a touching poem sent from my brother this morning.

~the love of my sweet wife, Debbie, and the laughter of my son, Liam- they brighten and add meaning to my life daily.

~contact from a few faraway friends today. I’m not sure if they would want or need name-mention here, but you know who you are. I love you and thank you.

~the incredible gifts of folks who helped when life was at its darkest. I’ve been thinking of Ken Druck, and the folks from The Compassionate Friends groups, and the Hospice folks who set up camps and classes for those in grief, and for Karl Anthony and Jean Lagorio, and Blair Tabor, and Julie Kyker, and for so many others who reached into our world of grief to offer so many things. There are too many to name here, from Adults of Unity friends to counselors to psychiatrists to ministers and musicians. I have been deeply blessed by a whole clan and crew of amazing humans surrounding me in my life.

~an absolutely beautiful day filled with love and abundance and great food and the Pacific Ocean.

~and last, but not least, upcoming bean, rice & guacamole burritos for dinner! I have eaten them in your honor for the past twenty of your birthdays. You did love a good bean burrito, and so do I!

This is really just a partial list. Thank you for all you taught me, all you continue to teach me, and all the love we continue to share, in whatever form we take. Happy Birthday, sweet, sweet son.

I love you forever, beautiful boy. i mo chroí go deo

© 2021 Mychael McNeeley

~A Toast To 21~ Jamie’s Joy 2017 Family Fun & Fundraising Event

beautifulboyWe hope you’ll be able to attend this year’s Jamie’s Joy Fundraiser: A Toast to 21! This blog post contains all the info you will need to do that or to support Jamie’s Joy even if you can’t attend.

For 2017, we are focused on programs that help San Diego’s homeless teens get off the streets. We found a great program with Urban Street Angels (USA), which began with feeding youth who were on the streets and evolved into now providing an overnight shelter, transitional shelter, and employment training. Through their own business, 8West hopes to open a year-round permanent shelter for these most vulnerable youth.

Are you aware that 3,000 youth sleep on our streets on any given night here in San Diego? Many of them left to escape abusive homes only to find themselves in more peril. Let’s help support efforts to get these youth the chance to lead productive lives.

Family Fun and Fund Raising Event (for kids of all ages)

LOCATION

The Irenic — 3090 Polk Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
The Irenic is a very cool, historic indoor and outdoor venue where there is plenty of room for those who want to listen to music and for those who want to eat, chat, play and of course bid on our awesome silent auction.

PARKING is free in lot a few blocks away from the event or on street. You might have to walk a short distance but there are plenty of spaces to park. You may drop off passengers at the venue lot before you park. Volunteers will be there to guide you. Thank you for honoring this request.

THE PROGRAM

We are honored to have several dignitaries present and addressing the gathering including The voices of the teens of Urban Street Angels telling their stories of tragedy to get to triumph. Be Uplifted. Be Inspired. Check out Urban Street Angels website and Urban Street Angels on Facebook.

  • Jamie’s Joy PowerPoint
    Highlighting what we’ve done over our 15 years as an organization and what our future holds.
  • Music
    “Hop Folk” style music with Shea Freedom – find him on Facebook and 
 YouTube
  • Food, Drinks, Fun Sweets and Treats
    We will be serving fun foods catered by The Irenic as well as food from some locals such as Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Native Foods Cafe, “EAT-LIVE-BE HAPPY, with a fresh and organic mix of salads, sandwiches, fruit trays, cheeses, hors d’oeuvres and much more. We’ll have plenty of tempting sweet treats for our taste buds and Starbucks will give us quality coffee (hot or iced) to wash it all down. Plus an assortment of other drinks. Very YUMMY!!!
  • The Silent Auction
    Besides celebrating Jamie and the good cause, we will have the very popular annual Silent Auction!!!!!!!!! With loads of restaurants, shops, goods and services, theme park adventures, and more to bid on you will get a great deal on all your favorite stuff.
  • Arts and crafts (for all ages)
    Face painting, button making, photos, make your own souvenir cup with photo and other forms of arts and crafts and self-expression.
  • Raffle prizes
  • 50/50 Opportunity Drawing 
    You keep half, we keep half of whatever is collected on the $1 ticket during the event (only).
    PRICING: *suggested donation
  • Chair massage, psychic readings, educational booth and much, much, more to give you an evening of great fun for all. 

THE SILENT AUCTION

This year’s Silent Auction promises to have even more great deals than last year. Donations for the silent auction are coming in daily and already include:

  • Disneyland, Knotts, Seaworld, Zoo, Wild Animal Park , theater & Movies
  • Massage, Acupuncture, & Chiropractic care
  • Tax prep, computer repair, hair coiffure, nail salon, cooking lessons, art
  • Restaurant, department store & grocery store gift certificates
  • Yard work, auto services, handyman, personal trainer
  • Gift baskets of all kinds
    *Items based on requests subject to change 

Ticket Pricing- Suggested Donation

All-Inclusive *enJOY-able packet

Music, Dancing, and other entertainment,
• Meal w/drink, dessert & coffee
• Art and other activities for kids (of all ages)
• 1 chance drawing ticket (not raffle ticket below) & Silent auction bid #
• 1 FUN ticket for each activity &other stuff offered
(face painting, button, balloons, massage chair, slushy, and more)
You can buy extra meals, drinks, desserts, activities, etc. if one of each is not enough
$ 35 suggested donation

For the Love of Jamie’s Joy, for those who want to support the cause but can’t attend.

Prize Drawing Only 1 ticket for $10 or 3 for $25
(multiple prizes- and you do not have to be present to win)
Day of event: $45./per person suggested donation

Family and Group Pricing Available as follows:

  • Buy 5 tickets get the 6th one free
  • KIDS age 6 and under: free admission
  • KIDS between 7-13: $20 suggested donation
  • Table of 10: $300 suggested donation
  • No one is turned away

You can also sponsor someone to come by buying a ticket and donating it back or giving it away. This is a great way to show support and allow someone to attend who might not otherwise be able to go.

Call 619-282-2553 if you have any questions.Thank you!

Tickets on will call to be picked up at the event.

We will have many items to taste, try, browse, and hopefully buy so bring your wallets and have a great family day while supporting many great causes. We can take cash, checks, and credit cards at the event. There is something for everyone in this fun-filled event for the whole family.
If you can’t attend: Of course some of you want to support the cause but can’t attend the event. In that case, do we have an offer for you! You can buy raffle tickets: 1 for $10 or 3 for $25 for a chance to win valuable prizes and services.
Get your raffle tickets
Mail check or money order made payable to
Jamie’s Joy Memorial Fund c/o Elene Bratton 4324 Manzanita Drive San Diego, California 92105
Your name & e-mail will be placed on the back of the ticket and held for the day of the event and you will be e-mailed that day when you win!!!

 

PARKING OPTIONS

  • North Park Garage: 3829 29th Street, .4 miles away.  Accepts Visa, Master Card, AMEX, and Discover.  This is a multi-level garage. $5 for 4 hours. 
  • Parking in Old Mill Restaurant: 3949 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104, 0.3 miles away. $5 for 4 hours.  
  • Next to Queen Bee: 3925 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104, 0.3 miles away. $3 an hour.
  • Chase Bank parking lot: 3921 30th St, 0.3 miles away.  0-2 hours is $5, and 2-9 hours is $10.
  • Autozone: 4005 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104, 0.3.  $3 an hour. 
 

Groups Jamie’s Joy Supports Each Year

In addition to the primary group we are benefitting Reality Changers, each year we also:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Jamie’s Joy 2016 Events Recap

Jamie’s Joy 2016 Gala Event

The kids of Urban Street Angels told their stories and it was named Jamie’s Joy Day in the 9th district by Marty Emerald. We also had local SDPD officers come and speak on how homelessness affects us all.    

We so appreciate all the support we receive from the community. With your help, Jamie’s Joy was able to raise over $6000 so far for our local and international kids in 2016. 

Some other highlights from 2016 for Jamie’s Joy

Interfaith Shelter Network- March 2016

Jamie’s Joy had a great time preparing, serving and eating food (x3) w/
the guests of the shelter and although the stage was a little hard it was fun to have a slumber party with the group.  

 

Jamie’s Joy Volunteer Crew at the Interfaith Shelter

 

Jamie’s 20th Birthday at Jamie’s Way Cleanup and Butterfly Release- May 2016   

 

Garden at the Language Academy

This year we were contacted by Julie Hammer who heads up the volunteer group keeping up the garden at the Language Academy where Jamie went to school. We had planted a memorial tree, aCrape Myrtle, back in 2002. The story of the tree kind of got lost over time, but it had been recounted to Julie and she reached out to us. We ended up meeting up with a large group of volunteers on August 13, 2016 to help revitalize the gardens at the school. Mychael was able to do some minor pruning on the Crape Myrtle we planted in Jamie’s honor and we were really happy that it seemed to be thriving!