How it all started...
So where did John's Boys begin? Where most things begin nowadays: social media.
Skylar Jordan Brown, feeling slightly fiesty, made a post during the locally renowned Daddy-Daughter dance time of year regarding the fact that we moms like to get down with our boys (and not only by digging in the dirt) but aren't getting much love with opportunities! When that post hit 300-400 interactions (likes, comments, shares), she decided it was time to do something about it... backyard barbecue anyone?
If you know our wonderful COB (Chairman/woman/person of the Board, President, El Jefe, Motivator Extraordinaire), she never does anything half way and so a backyard barbecue wasn't going to cut it. A couple corporate sponsors, a partner, a venue, and a few Starbucks meetings later, the idea to do a Mother-Son dance formed, and we were going put on the inaugural "Jurassic Jam"... in 122 days!
The core group that continued to make decisions regarding Jurassic Jam eventually became "John's Boys". One of our former board members Clay Hollis, along with his wife, are foster parents who have fostered 3 infants. John (a.k.a. John Boy) was Clay and Megan's first foster baby. While planning the dance, events occurred that made us want to honor their relationship (we hope to do you proud John Boy!). Clay and Megan have been a font of information and knowledge for the Board and helped connect us to Voices For Children!
Skylar Jordan Brown, feeling slightly fiesty, made a post during the locally renowned Daddy-Daughter dance time of year regarding the fact that we moms like to get down with our boys (and not only by digging in the dirt) but aren't getting much love with opportunities! When that post hit 300-400 interactions (likes, comments, shares), she decided it was time to do something about it... backyard barbecue anyone?
If you know our wonderful COB (Chairman/woman/person of the Board, President, El Jefe, Motivator Extraordinaire), she never does anything half way and so a backyard barbecue wasn't going to cut it. A couple corporate sponsors, a partner, a venue, and a few Starbucks meetings later, the idea to do a Mother-Son dance formed, and we were going put on the inaugural "Jurassic Jam"... in 122 days!
The core group that continued to make decisions regarding Jurassic Jam eventually became "John's Boys". One of our former board members Clay Hollis, along with his wife, are foster parents who have fostered 3 infants. John (a.k.a. John Boy) was Clay and Megan's first foster baby. While planning the dance, events occurred that made us want to honor their relationship (we hope to do you proud John Boy!). Clay and Megan have been a font of information and knowledge for the Board and helped connect us to Voices For Children!
122 days later...
Jurassic Jam 2019 raised over $8,000 for our designated donation recipient, Voices for Children - CASA. We were very fortunate to have Peach Creek Ranch donate their venue; Fab 5 Bakery did all of the amazing cookies; Seyle Daniel Photography did a photobooth; Party Time Rentals made sure we had amazing games for the kids; and thanks to sponsors such as Texas Farm Bureau Insurance and 2nd Generation Arc N Spark, it all looked FABULOUS!
So what is the goal?
Part of the donation we were able to make included 72 of our Go Bags. Each bag provides children with basic necessities including comfort items, toiletries, and other age-appropriate essentials. One of our two core projects is to supply incoming foster children with a Go Bag. Most people are not aware that when a child is removed from a home, they are given a trash bag and a few minutes to gather their belongings. We hope that one day, every child who enters foster care in our community receives a GoBag.
With your help and our exciting upcoming events, we hope to raise the funds we need to increase awareness, education, and advocacy for the foster community in our area!
With your help and our exciting upcoming events, we hope to raise the funds we need to increase awareness, education, and advocacy for the foster community in our area!
Where we are now, 5 years later...
Our annual event, Jurassic Jam, is coming back stronger than ever! It has evolved from the "mother-son" origination to an all-inclusive community event, even expanding to an online auction platform for parents whose kids are grown or anyone who doesn't have children but still want to donate and contribute to this amazing cause. We have created and distributed over 950 bags around Brazos Valley to various organizations, and even delivered some to families ourselves! We are looking forward to continuing to provide the comfort items for the kiddos, as well as the resources for those whose hearts have opened up to these children. With the help of donors, sponsors, and the community in general, we hope to ensure every child in kinship placements, foster care, or being adopted receives our bags!