The Jacksons- Family Who Gives Their All

Giving to a Family Who Give Their All

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” Steve Maraboli

No one lives this truth more than the Jackson family. They’re special that way.

From the time they married, Gary and Nadine stood firmly convicted to always help others in need. They raised their kids to do the same, and those lessons took hold. As a teen, middle daughter Sarah cooked meals for a neighbor family struggling with cancer. Youngest daughter Anna took a job helping youth in crisis. They were taught that’s simply what you do.

Yet the Jacksons are special in another way. It’s in how they take care of each other. You’ll see “J5” in their email handle – a sign of how they feel about one another and how tight they’ve always been.

A Generous Family in Crisis

The fifth member of this special family – the “5” in J5 – is oldest child David. A few years ago, David was discovered to have a serious form of cancer.

Dad Gary left his great job in Germany to return with Nadine so they could care for David in Colorado. Their son’s treatments proved grueling. There was round after round of chemo, surgeries, clinical trials – yet, through it all, David posted upbeat messages to his community. As his body absorbed a beating, his posts remained full of faith. He encouraged everyone to live fully, with gratitude for each day. He was vulnerable, too, when days were hard and medicine wasn’t working. Despite those times, David knew his days had meaning. And, like every other Jackson, he wanted his journey to count for others.

It has. David’s struggle ended this week. Everyone close to him points out his bravery, strength and spirit. The world he leaves is heartbroken over a beautiful man. Even so, his grieving family could not be more proud of their son, brother and uncle.

See, even before cancer struck, David never forgot the Jackson conviction of reaching others in need. Even during his hardest season of life, David always shared what he had from food to faith with anyone who needed it. He always had hope.

David’s life ended up proving that hope. In his adult years, he sought sobriety. Day by day, week by week, he marked successes that led his sister Sarah to tell him, “I couldn’t do what you’re doing.” True to the J5 spirit, David’s sisters drove from Denver to Colorado Springs to celebrate his monthly marks of success.

A Caring Family’s Need

The world doesn’t wait for us to have a crisis at a convenient time. For the Jacksons, David’s passing comes amid great pressures. No one works harder, is more frugal or conscientious, or gives more to others than the Jacksons. They had to scale back their income to care for their son. Now they’re facing funeral and burial costs for David. As a friend wrote to Nadine, the mom who embodies sacrificial giving, “This is too much for a mama to have to go through at one time.”

That’s where all of us – friends of the Jacksons – come in.

Friends Who Return a Lifetime of Love

The Jacksons reveal the powerful beauty of genuine care for others. Many of us have received that care. Now we can care for them in turn. Each of us can play a small part to make a big difference for them. We ask because the Jacksons won’t ask for themselves.

Here’s the specific help we seek for them:

*$11,000 for funeral expenses.

*$7,000 for David’s burial plot.

Altogether, the total goal to support the Jacksons in these specific needs is $18,000. If each of us gives as we can, to a family who’s given their all, the amount will be met in no time.

The Jacksons’ need is clearly urgent. We’ve made it easy for you to help by donating here! If you don't have the funds, you can also support by bringing the family a meal. If you would like to bring food, please visit this link to sign up!

Thank you! May the power of your love for the Jacksons ripple outward for generations – in David’s eternal memory.

Sincerely,

Friends of the J5