ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
homes where the patients’
day-to-day lives oftentimes
feel rather bleak. Their
visits are anticipated and
have gone a long way to
helping residents have a
sunnier outlook on life.
What else?
We never know what life
will throw our way. For
some, the frustration of
giving to an organization
that has no human face
attached, or collects on a
national level seems rather
frustrating. Where does our
money go? Does it serve
a higher purpose or is it
paying a six figure salary?
Many organizations
dedicate large amounts
of money toward disease
research, medical
technology or the clinical
side of healthcare.
What really grabbed our
attention is the devotion
that JITC puts toward
the emotional and
spiritual side of healing
– a component that is
still largely ignored by
the medical community,
despite the research
showing vast amounts
of improvement coming
from engaging hearts and
minds. Much like filling the
toy closets in children’s
cancer centers, JITC is like
a grown-up’s toy closet
where love, compassion
and laughter help heal.
And they include the
patient’s family in the
recovery – as most aid is
devoted to the patient,
but sometimes the family
“When
one member
of the family
faces illness, the
entire family is
affected. It is
our mission to
help the entire
family through the
journey.”
needs some TLC too.
What sets JITC apart from
How you can get in on the action -
JITC sponsors can select
a nursing home to be part
of JITC’s regular visit
rotation, complete with
gifts of “Miracle Mavis
Dogs”. JITC staff work
tirelessly to keep the circle
of light going bright, and
that includes fund-raising.
They are hosting a 5K in
May, the Rustic Cuff Run,
starting at 7 p.m. on May
12 at RiverWest Festival
grounds in west Tulsa.
Live music, drinks, food, a
picture booth, face painting,
a kids’ zone, and awards for
multiple categories are up
for grabs. Pre-register early
and get a free shirt. There
are sponsorships available for
your company too. Packets
available online and at
RunnersWorld in Tulsa.
If running isn’t your ‘thing’
or if you have scheduling
conflicts, you can do a 1K
fun run/walk or a virtual 5K
at your convenience. And
bigger non-profits is the
openness of their books.
Right on joyinthecause.org
home page, you will see
a link to all their financial
data for 2016. How cool is
that? All funds collected
stay here in Oklahoma
and serve Oklahomans.
And, if you want to
contribute, Lisa and her
little band of Angels
won’t turn you away; they
need people to pay it all
forward and they need
financial help. If you want
to contribute, you can
choose how you want
your money to be used. It
don’t get no better that
that!
Find Joy on the Web at
www.joyinthecause.org or
call (918) 998-0535.
take heart knowing that
Mavis Pearl isn’t a big fan of
running either (she’s more of
a dog of leisure), but she is
happy to be the princess of
ceremonies, even if she needs
a nap mid-activity.
JITC has events all year,
one of which is a poker run
coming up this fall - bikers,
car folks, all are welcome.
Their first Poker Run in
2016 was a raging success.
The Run begins at Myers
Duren Harley Davidson
and ends at the Hard Rock,
with many stops to grab a
bite or take in the scenery
along the way. Registrants
receive a t-shirt, map of all
stops and refreshments at
the Hard Rock, with many
opps to win prizes, cash or
the highly coveted stuffed
Mavis Dog complete with
custom designed couture.
More on the Run as well as
other upcoming events at
joyinthecause.org/all-events.
www.thecurrentbuzz.net
|
9