We all go through times in our lives that challenge us. Some of these events are filled with joy and others are rooted in heartache. My greatest loss occurred on the 15th of September 2011. My husband - Mark A. Jardina passed away suddenly. I was left with our two children ' ages six and seven ' and a hurt that I felt would never heal. When despair from the great loss of love from my life consumed me, I became more aware of others' pain. This produced a greater sense of compassion within me and a better understanding of healing by giving to others.
It was during this time that I began the Mark A Jardina Foundation. What started as a desire to turn my loss into something positive has become much more than I ever dreamed. The Mark A Jardina Foundation is a non profit organization created to promote physical activity in disadvantaged children. It bears Marks name as he enjoyed a very active lifestyle. We began with providing athletic balls and have grown to outfitting entire sports teams. By partnering with many other groups and schools that serve underprivileged areas we have been able to reach thousands of children and enhance lives through supporting and developing programs that promote physical activity. Through developing relationships with the groups that we partner with these children are not simply recipients of charity or goodwill ' they are now the direct reflection of transition of culture. And in the process memories are being made: A child making their first soccer goal, or a team cheering for their first basketball victory! Most of all a parent watching their child play football for the first time.
We are not making just 'feel good' moments ' we are making 'reAL GOOD' !! A life experience delivered in a tangible item- a uniform, a ball, a child's own pair of soccer cleats.
These children will know when they see the MAJF logo on a ball or jersey that a larger group is behind them. And with that, hopefully they will realize what it is to be part of something greater than the narrow options of their unfortunate circumstances. It is my hope these children will see that compassion has reason and that love is real. For they will have a tangible , reAL connection to the individual who generated this entire experience.
Mark's spirit lives on in each place this foundation supports. We are propelled forward believing that our greatest accomplishments every day are in what we have done for others. We must strive to improve daily and to always think of others first, for no other reason than the absence of love is not an excuse to cease giving it.
Giving others the gift of an item that promotes physical activity just by it's very nature and intended use such as a ball or running shoes is the true essence of Mark A Jardina Foundation. All children deserve an opportunity to have fun and play. Life is so precious and youth should be spent learning that life has a great deal to offer.
Mark A Jardina Foundation has become for me the extension of what I need to be everyday: Better to those around me, thoughtful to those less fortunate, and most of all giving to those in need to the best of my ability.
Review from #MyGivingStory