Jesica's Hope Chest was originally created to help Yesica Santillan, a girl who lived in Louisburg, North Carolina, and was awaiting a heart transplant. "Yesica" was her given name, however, she prefered to be called "Jesica". It all started when Mack Mahoney, a local Franklin County businessman, read the "Yesica" editorial that was published in The Franklin Times. He was so touched by her story that he contacted the newspaper staff, which put him in touch with the liaison to Jesica and her family, Angela Denton Foss. Soon after, the Mahoney's began to work on ways to help the Santillan family. During time spent with Jesica, the Mahoney's vision of "Jesica's Hope Chest, Inc." began to evolve. Mack and his wife, Nita, searched for and found several other professionals, who are dedicated to helping children in need, and thus,
shared in their vision for "Jesica's Hope Chest, Inc.". They along with the Mahoney's gave voluntarily of their time to ensure that their vision was brought to life and fruition. "Jesica's Hope Chest" would be filled with many gifts for children, the first of these gifts being the quest for a heart transplant operation for the corporation's namesake. Jesica Santillan's transplant and her medical expenses would be the first project undertaken. Jesica's medical condition would require hundreds of thousands of dollars*. Mack and Nita felt that many people have been truly blessed in this life and that the only way of continuing to be blessed is to give away part of what has been received. Who better to give it to than children in need?
Jesica and Mack |
The Mahoney's hope and the vision of "Jesica's Hope Chest, Inc." is that others too will stand up and be counted. There are many children throughout the country who need help. Some have parents that, for various reasons, do not have access to public agencies. Other families have such access but the needs of their children have exceeded the resources available to them. The Mahoney's and others on the board are asking businesses, churches, civic groups and all individuals throughout our country to start making contributions to "Jesica's Hope Chest, Inc" a regular part of their budget. Remember, everyone has the power to choose to make a difference in peoples lives. "Jesica's Hope Chest, Inc." will serve the country well because the focus is on it's children, and who better to make a "focal point" of time, energy, and financial resources than those who define our very future.
As the Mahoney's would say, "It is a NOBLE CAUSE!"
*Sadly we lost Jesica on Feb. 22, 2003.
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