Rotary Speakers



MaryLynn St.Germaine

Topic(s): Fighting Disease, Community service, International service, Children fighting cancer


Job Title: Donor Relations and Community Engagement
Company:The Jessie Rees Foundation
Availability: South Orange County, North Orange County, Central Orange County, Virtual (Zoom or other)

Summary of the presentation:

The Jessie Rees Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is inspired by 12-year old Jessica Joy Rees, better known as “Jessie”. Jessie was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate girl who fought two brain tumors (DIPG) from March 3, 2011 to January 5, 2012. During her 10-month courageous fight, Jessie focused on spreading hope, joy and love to other kids during their own fight with cancer. She knew that having cancer made kids feel lonely and limited, and as a result, Jessie felt empowered to help ease these feelings for those children. That is when she created “Jessie’s JoyJars”.

Jessie’s JoyJars are 64 oz. plastic jars stuffed to the brim with age-specific toys, activities and games. JoyJars create smiles, cure bad days and encourage Courageous Kids fighting cancer to NEGU- “Never Ever Give Up”. JoyJars are 100% free to Courageous Kids in active treatment up to age 18. JoyJars contain items such as toy cars, stuffed animals, stickers, coloring books, card games, iTunes gift cards, crazy socks & beanies, video games and much more. JoyJars are provided at no cost to partnering hospitals and pediatric cancer care facilities and are given to children who have just received a cancer diagnosis, those who are hospitalized or receiving cancer treatment.

The purpose of Jessie’s JoyJars is to provide every kid fighting cancer with hope, joy and encouragement to NEGU at the moment of diagnosis, or during hospitalizations for surgery, treatment or illness. Jessie’s JoyJars serve as the Jessie Rees Foundation’s first step in connecting with families, bringing awareness to their stories, offering them helpful resources and sending them continual boosts of encouragement.


Contact info:
Email: marylynn@jessie.org
Office: 949-215-3848
Website: http://www.negu.org

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamnegu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamnegu
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamnegu/

last edited: April 19, 2023 at 2:56 pm by St.Germaine MaryLynn