Jax Pays It Forward 2024

Ends: October 31, 2024

Our Story - If you can't pay it back - Pay it forward ! #jaxpaysitforward Walking into McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton was one of the more helpless and chaotic feelings of my life. My little girl needed help and needed her parents by her side. I of course was unable to give her the medical help she needed but Ronald McDonald house gave me the ability to provide the support and comfort she needed. When we first showed up at the Children's Hospital we of course were overwhelmed with the unknown. What medical attention did our daughter need? How long would we be in the hospital for? How long would be living out of our suitcases for? Where would we shower? Where would we eat? How long would we sleep in hospital chairs and on floors for? Of course, a lot of these questions would be answered over time and as our situation unfolded. However, Ronald McDonald House of Hamilton and their unbelievable staff were able to take a huge amount of stress and questions off our plate. They provide their guests with a hotel standard room, breakfast and dinner, laundry services, internet, as well as all toiletries. All of this is at a very affordable price and takes a huge burden off the parents during a very difficult and unpredictable time. We can’t thank the Ronald McDonald House and their staff enough for the help they provided myself and my family over that 6-month period that felt never ending. Our journey is still not over but it is better, and we will need to stay at the RMH again when she has her surgery or is taken off her meds. We are beyond grateful that we have them and know we are not alone when I say that. That’s where Jax Pays it forward stemmed from we believe if you cannot pay it back pay it forward and we want to show our daughter the importance of paying it forward and helping other families in need ! This year will be the 5th annual Jax pays it forward! Our goal is to reach $30,000 over the next two years to support our "adopted" room at Ronald McDonald House in Jax's name! Last year we exceeded our $10,000 fundraising target with over $16,000 support from our event. Our room adoption covers the costs that other families would have to pay to stay in that room for a whole year. We will be hosting the event again at Side Launch Brewery on June 15th, 2024. There will be face painting, live music, paw patrol, bouncy castles, snow cones and food trucks. There will also be a silent auction at event with some amazing prizes - We will go live at the event and give an opportunity to bid on prizes for those who cannot make it. We are also looking for more auction Items so if you or someone you know would like to donate, please feel free to reach out! This link is open for donations immediately so please feel free to spread the word and share the link. I know a lot of companies offer a match up program – if you work for a company that offers this, please use this link and let’s make this year the best year yet! We hope you can join us at our event!