A DONATION IN YOUR NAME FROM SUNSTONE

To celebrate the holiday season, and share the many blessings we have received this year, we are making donations to deserving organizations in your name. As in prior years, our team has recommended great organizations for us to donate and why they should be selected. This year it was difficult to select only one organization so we will be donating $3,500 to these two worthy organizations:

The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, as recommended by Georgia Rackley

As the mother of a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a Purple Heart recipient, I now understand the risks and sacrifice of anyone who willingly places themselves in harm’s way. Thousands of veterans find themselves still fighting; to overcome illness, life altering injuries, substance abuse and psychological challenges. Many are looking for employment, housing and education. Families of these veterans have needs as well. Soldiers going into war understand that their fellow brothers and sisters in arms will spare nothing to get one another back home. May we show and share the same commitment to these veterans.

The DAV Charitable Service Trust supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs that provide direct service to ill, injured, or wounded veterans. Programs supported by the trust target several groups of physically and psychologically injured veterans and typically include: providing food, shelter and other necessary items to homeless or at-risk veterans; accessibility or mobility items for veterans with vision or hearing impairments; therapeutic activities; physical and psychological activities for rehabilitation; and other forms of direct service for veterans and their families.
https://cst.dav.org/about-us/

JAR of Hope, as recommended by Danielle Wyld

JAR of Hope’s mission is dedicated to bringing awareness and raising funds directed to ongoing research for finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (“DMD”). DMD affects about 300,000 boys worldwide with approximately 20,000 cases in the United States. DMD is a form of muscular dystrophy where a genetic mutation causes an absence of dystrophin protein in the body. This causes muscles to deteriorate and breakdown, leading to cognitive learning difficulties, severe muscle loss with wheelchair dependency, weakened diaphragm with need for ventilator as a teen, decreased heart function, and ultimate untimely death. The average life expectancy is twenty-six (26). Due to the way DMD is inherited, boys are primarily affected , however it is one of the most frequently occurring and most rapidly progressive childhood neuromuscular disorders. Imagine noticing your young son not developing as quickly as others or slowly exhibiting signs of muscular weakness, only to be told by doctors to “go home and love your son, there is nothing we can do”. This heartbreaking prognosis was given to the Raffone family in 2013 when their son, now seven, was diagnosed with this deadly disease. The Raffone family started JAR of Hope to find a cure for their son and others. On a personal note, I came to learn of this type of muscular dystrophy when a former co-worker received the same devastating news about her son Drew. On Valentines day of this year, Drew Gunther was diagnosed with DMD and ever since his family has been focused on finding a cure, if not for their son, for other boys in the future. JAR of Hope has been integral to their mission, enrolling Drew in clinical trials with new experimental treatments as well as helping the family to afford an at home hyperbaric oxygen chamber which Drew uses daily in hopes that the added oxygen will slow down the deterioration of his muscles. JAR of hope also helps families with ongoing needs for durable medical equipment for the boys as the disease progresses and items like motorized wheelchairs are needed. This family’s devotion to positivity and search for a cure is a true inspiration in light of the challenges Drew faces. In addition, he has an older sister who has to witness her little brother teased at school for not being able to keep up or walking funny, however she remains his greatest champion, helping him to school, carrying books and defending against the cruelties of others. The strength and resiliency of the family is overwhelming. There are so many wonderful causes out there to recommend, but as a parent I would love to see a cure for DMD so no other parents have to get this devastating news and ultimately lose their child. For more information, JAR of Hope website is jarofhope.org. To learn more about Drew and his family’s story watch the following link from abc27 news: https://www.facebook.com/abc27news/videos/390660428481070/

Listed below are two other great organizations our team recommended to donate this year. SunStone will be donating $250 to each of these organizations in your name.

Caitlin’s Smiles – as recommended by Bob Marcavage

A non-profit organization based in Harrisburg. Their mission is dedicated to sharing smiles and laughter with children facing chronic or life threatening illnesses. Founded in 2004 in memory of Caitlin Hornung, the non-profit organization distributes arts and crafts kits to hospitals, giving kids an outlet for creativity and the means to heightened feelings of self-worth. Caitlin's Smiles recognizes children as unique individuals and strives to heighten their feelings of self-worth and competency by providing them with opportunities to be creative and successful with a variety of creative art experiences. https://www.caitlins-smiles.org

YoungLives – as recommended by Trina Roberts

Part of a larger organization YoungLife, works with teen moms in York City, meeting with them to provide a mentor, guidance, whatever support they may need as well as teach them about Jesus when/if they are ready and open to it.  YoungLives provides a missing support network for these young ladies, provides a safe place to talk about whatever they are going through – no judgement, life lessons from their mentor(s) who they come to trust.  The leaders go right into the school to meet with them, weekly club meetings are held as well as special events.  http://yorkcity.younglife.org/Pages/Young-Lives.aspx

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and hope you and your families have a a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Warm regards, 

Greg St. Clair, and all your friends at SunStone