“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston S. Churchill
Each day, fulfilling our clients’ needs brings us a sense of pride and accomplishment. We love what we do. And it keeps food on the table. But, in addition to our 9-5, we each try to make giving to others a priority. Not because it’s “the right thing to do,” but because it’s what makes the world go round. As 2016 approaches, we’re reflecting on 2015 with hopes that we can share more joy in the New Year.
(For Christmas this year, we made a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile in honor of our clients.)
We helped develop a theme for their first-ever annual “Big” campaign and walk to encourage people to join in the Big Brothers Big Sisters initiative. The theme: Start Something Big - Give One. Get One. Be One. We also helped design the T-shirt for their walk.
For the second year, we helped promote and develop materials for Camp Grace’s annual Yellow Day event, celebrating the many camps and charitable organizations that host camps at Camp Grace each year.
JJ was appointed to a community group of engaged Baldwin County citizens charged to study the public education system and make solid recommendations to advance education in our community. The recommendations they made are now being acted upon in the school system and great progress is being made!
Children's of Alabama
In addition to being a longtime client, JJPR sponsors several local events benefiting young patients who have to travel to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham for medical treatment of serious illnesses. We help with their social media and PR needs to spread the word within our community. Jessica and Kelsey volunteer on the Tee Off Fore a Cure committee helping plan and implement the event. This year the 10th annual Tee Off raised $78,000!
Kelsey also volunteered on the planning committee for the first-ever Reel Hope Classic fishing tournament, which exceeded expectations for support and attendance!
Red Shoe Society 
Leigh, Kelsey and Jessica are members of the Red Shoe Society, which is the young leaders' arm of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Red Shoe Society is committed to creating awareness and raising funds for the House through a variety of social and volunteer activities. In 2015, all three served on the Red Shoe Brew committee, with Leigh serving as chair and Jessica designing the logo. The team is already committed to helping with the House's largest fundraiser in 2016 - Little Black Dress.
We also chose the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile to make a contribution on our clients' behalf for Christmas this year. The JJPR team donated new bedding for a guest room and toys for Santa's Workshop, a place where parents staying at the house can come and pick up Christmas gifts for their children to open on Christmas Day. (Cue the tears.)
Community Foundation of South Alabama
JJ serves on the board of the Community Foundation of South Alabama, which assembles and directs philanthropic assets to make southwest Alabama a better place. The entire JJPR team was instrumental in helping with their annual meeting in 2015 and 2014, including developing materials for and promoting the event.
Impact 100
Each year, JJPR assists Impact 100, an organization of women committed to making a significant, lasting difference in the lives of Baldwin County citizens, in promoting its activities including the annual membership drive and the impactful grants awarded each year to local non-profits, providing them the financial resources to accomplish extraordinary things. JJ is also giving back through her membership dues, which are used in their entirety for those awesome grants.
We’re always looking for more ways to give back. We’d love to hear your stories of giving back this past year. Let’s share the joy that is the spirit of this season and take it into 2016!
