In 2015, I filed the paperwork for a “passion project”, the JORY Children’s Foundation. The name is
a combination of my sons’ names, Jonathan and Ryan. the philosophy was/is that my wife Theresa
and I were fortunate to be blessed with two wonderful, healthy kids – and that we were able to
provide for them…not everyone has that. JORY aims to provide help where we can – even if it’s just a
small impact letting a family know someone cares. The Foundation quickly obtained official IRS non-
profit designation.
However, my “service to others journey” didn’t start there, nor did it end there. Below is a picture of
me at the neighborhood carnival I hosted (at Daly Park in Dearborn Heights) for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association at the ripe old age of 9. The memories from that project are immense…even
meeting local TV personalities like Joe Glover when I got to present the $ raised on the local tv
portion of the Labor Day telethon.
Soon after, I began volunteering (with a dear friend, neighbor, and “lunch lady” Helen Piwowar) for
an organization called C.A.R.I.H. (Childrens Asthma Research Institute and Hospital – no longer
exists) Helen’s family, as well as another very close friend of mine, were dealing with life as chronic
asthma sufferers.
While still in elementary school, my neighbors will recall me pulling my wagon full of whatever I was
peddling (lol) for this organization or that. In junior high and high school, I was quite the successful fundraiser and event planner for various clubs and projects – most notably as the editor of the Chatterbox (junior high newspaper), and as a
member of the AFJROTC program in high school.
As an adult, I’ve either sponsored, hosted, or cooked for countless spaghetti dinners to raise
“emergency” funds for families in need, and planned numerous other events. For several years in
Romulus, I planned the “Mayors’ Ball”, a hugely successful fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Southeast Michigan. The last one I did profited approximately $50,000!
I’ve served on two Boards of Education (Westwood and Romulus), and I’ve belonged to service
organizations ( Jaycees,Rotary, Knights of Columbus).
I’m not listing all these things here to be boastful – I just want to convey how blessed I’ve been, and
continue to be, by others that support what I do. I am truly humbled, and yes, honored, to have
friends and strangers alike support my passion project, JORY Childrens Foundation. I am not done
with service – as long as the Universe guides me, I’ll continue to do what I can.