My Nonprofit Reviews

I've been blessed in SO many ways since meeting Lisa and getting involved with Joy In The Cause...how long have you got?
When I lost yet another friend to cancer I was proud when her daughter and niece became volunteers and fundraisers for several cancer related non for profits in Tulsa. I loved watching them grow as individuals through helping fight what has taken so many loved ones. When they started sharing stories about Lisa and her 'Star of the Show' dog Mavis Pearl the sparkle in their eye was infectious. I live in Arkansas and they in Oklahoma but when invited to help, I pulled out my sewing machine, wore Google and YouTube out trying to channel the high school me who earned an A+ on her senior sewing protect but hadn't sewed a stitch to sequel about since! When Lisa sent a photo of the little girl fighting cancer , hugging a Mini' Mavis wearing a dress I'd made, the feeling in my soul was unmatchable. I had to retire early due to my own health and am restricted to being at home most of my days...but at last I could 'Help' again.
Through her own illness and the loss of her mother Lisa has created and taken Joy In The Cause to so many. Touching all she meets so deeply, sincerely, in such a lasting way, she is nothing less than inspiring in my own life. From children who've lost a parent, those with special needs, senior citizen who think they're lost and forgotten, when the Joy in The Cause gang walk in and start sharing their gifts of cookies, gift cards, books and best of all their own hand dressed Mavis Pearl dog, the gratitude, the long lost smiles, the tears of JOY for being remembered, you can see it swell, you can feel it grow from them all. It's amazing! It's impossible to have a bad day when you've spent it with this group and pretty hard not to be glowing a week later, still walking around with a smile.
My son was hospitalized with congestive heart failure I spent over 2 weeks camped in his room. My worry was inconsolable and my wallet was beyond empty. I was weary and worn reaching for any last string of strength, a mother shows no fear to a their ill child you see. I was alone and on empty, then Lisa found out what was happening. Suddenly I looked up and like the brightest burst of sunshine and she arrived with a bag full of JOY and my spirits revival. From cupcakes to clothing to hugs of support the bag she brought out seemed bottomless. How I needed the t-shirts, the warmth of the sweatshirt and the smile I saw again, when she pulled out a quilt laying over my boy in his bed...I felt my strength refilling. There was a Visa card for gas and grocery's, a gift card to Olive Garden who even delivered to the hospital giving us the best dinner I've ever shared with my son when he was finally able to eat again. I slept wrapped in that blanket the whole second week, receiving the prayers I knew were sewn in with each stitch . I felt the support, I found again, my strength. On the way home, that Visa card also helped fill the very expensive prescriptions he was given. My son saw the kindness, felt it's 'meaning' and smiled, reviving my soul again. I am proud of my connection with JITC as well as grateful.
I know JoyInTheCause has touched many lives, I believe JITC has truly saved at least 1! A lifelong friend of mine suffers from sever depression to the point she's tried to end her life. Deep in despair and darkness I begged her to reach out, to do something for someone else, get her 'out' of herself. She started making tutu's for the stuffed Mavis pups. In the last 40 years I've never seen her so involved in such a light giving, happiness making, support sharing group. Lisa, Mavis Pearl and JITC has changed her life....again, I am so grateful...I am so blessed, I have deeply touched and forever changed.