LA KISS in the Community
Jessie Rees:
During the Holiday season the players and staff of the LA KISS spent a morning stuffing Joy Jars for the Jessie Rees Foundation. The Joy Jars get sent to children battling cancer throughout the nation and the world. Jessie Rees started creating and distributing her Joy Jars in March 2011, after getting diagnosed with cancer. The 12 year-old wanted to focus on helping the children that were unable to leave the hospital. The courage and bravery Jesse has touched the lives of countless children. Today the Joy Jars are a symbol of hope and love in all 50 states and in 29 different countries. Since 2011, the Jessie Rees Foundation has raised over 4 million dollars and sends Joy Jars to 275 different children’s hospitals and care centers.
Each jar is personalized to the specific child based on his/her wants and needs.
“Knowing whom the exact person the jars were going to be delivered to, made filling up the jars even more rewarding” offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga said. “After watching Jessie’s story, you have no other choice but to fill up the jars with love.”
The LA KISS players and staff got to work making sure that each jar was created to Jessie’s specifications.
“I was nervous because Jessie had a certain way to fill the jar and I wanted it to be perfect,” Tevaga explained. “I hope the kids who got my jars know I made it with love and that it put a smile on their face.”
The LA KISS were honored to support Jessie’s dream, and look to bring her motto “Never Ever Give Up” to the football field this season!
Find out more about the Jessie Rees Foundation here.