Jared Boxes in memory of Kesson Haynes 2018
In 2019 we participated in a special, heartfelt project by collecting and assembling Jared Boxes for the Jared Box Project. Our Pastor's wife, Rhonda Poff, told us the following story about her cousin’s nephew:
My first cousin's nephew (age 2) died suddenly the week before Christmas, 2018. His name was Kesson Haynes. This was such a tragedy for the family. He was adopted from a mother that used drugs during her pregnancy and was born addicted to drugs. He survived the detox and went home a few days after his birth. His little heart stopped beating during a Christmas get together the week before Christmas and they were unable to revive him. He had no past history except for the addiction he was born with. In honor of my cousin's birthday (Traci George), she has asked for donations to the Jared Box Project in memory of Kesson Haynes.
What is a Jared Box?
This is from their website: “A Jared Box is a plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, games, and fun activities. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients in emergency rooms, patient rooms, surgical centers, and clinics as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments. Jared Boxes bring smiles and laughter and lift the spirits of children in the hospital.”
After presenting the idea to our church family of participating in memory of little Kesson, the boxes starting coming in, 29 of them! Touched by his story, church members went out and started buying goodies that would fit into a shoebox. Several of the church family participated in the collection of the boxes. Not all of them are pictured here.
Later they were dropped off at the Carilion Children’s Clinic in Roanoke where the staff was grateful to receive them.
We look forward to doing something like this again in the future!