INPERSON
JoJo’s
Hug
Project
JoJo high-fives ER nurse Ty while Gary Weinstein, CEO of
Washington Health System, looks on.
Local 9-year-
old delivers
hugs, one
stuffed animal
at a time.
BY JEN BROZAK
12
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
J
oJo Jaskulski may only be 9 years old, but she’s already making a huge impact on
her community at large.
Last July, motivated by the Disney “Be Inspired” program, which encourages
young people to make a difference in the world, the Canonsburg third grader launched
“JoJo’s Hug Project.” The project focuses on collecting stuffed animals to donate to
children who are facing stressful situations, such as at local police or fire stations or in
the emergency room.
Since she began her project, JoJo estimates that she’s collected and purchased
approximately 100 brand-new stuffed animals, Beanie Boos and Squishmallows for
local children. On Dec. 17, she donated a large number of those toys to the Washington
Health System Emergency Department.
JoJo compares herself to the character Olaf from the Disney film “Frozen,” because he
likes to give warm hugs. “I want to spread kindness everywhere and really just want to
give kids that are scared hugs to bring them comfort,” she says.
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