Today marks one year since a Pe Ell elementary schooler named Jayden Nelson gave her $100 in birthday money to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Rather than a one-off, this energetic girl followed up with lemonade stands, wax candle sales, jewelry auctions and all manner of creative fundraisers for a cause that she has adopted with gusto. Her efforts have attracted plenty of appreciation and notice (including two stories last year in The Chronicle), and recently she’s come to statewide attention as well.
Jayden, 9, recently received a letter from the governor’s office, notifying her that Gov. Jay Inslee is giving her the state’s annual Volunteer Service Award in the youth category
“Every day extraordinary individuals effect real change in their communities through volunteer service,” wrote Amber Martin-Jahn, executive director of Serve Washington in the award letter sent to Jayden a few weeks ago. “You are catalysts that help people and groups move past their differences to build shared understanding and solve common problems.”
The governor and the state’s first lady will present the award to Jayden and other recipients during a luncheon this Monday at the governor’s mansion.
As part of that recognition, all recipients are invited to the Seattle Mariners and on-field recognition at the team’s Salute to Volunteers Night on Monday, April 16 at Safeco Field. Jayden was thrilled to be attending her first-ever Mariners game, but that wasn’t all.
Last week, her mom, Eddi, received an email asking if Jayden, as the youngest volunteer being recognized this year, would be comfortable willing to throw out the game’s first pitch.
To say she was willing was something of an understatement.
“I want to do it! Yes, yes, yes!” Jayden told her mom.
The family is buying a regulation-size baseball to practice. Jayden plays on the Pe Ell U8 softball team, but they use a larger ball.
And while all the recognition is certainly nice, the most important event in their calendar is tonight. Local supporters of Mary Bridge Foundation will be holding their third-annual fundraiser spaghetti feed and live/silent auction, with live music. It runs from 5-7 p.m. tonight at the Moose Family Center, 1400 Grand Ave, Centralia.
Jayden will be there with jewelry she and her mom made. She might even be auctioning these creations off herself.
John Gust, who has been organizing Mary Bridge fundraisers for nearly 30 years, was the one who happened to be talking about fundraising for the hospital last year in the Pe Ell shop owned by Jayden’s mom.
Jayden’s class had just read a book about “Changemakers” and the girl, then 8, was primed and ready for a cause to support. When spark meets kindling, a strong fire to heat and light the world can burst forth, and that’s just what’s happened with Jayden, a young Changemaker.
Gust, who is organizing tonight’s spaghetti fundraiser, told me that he was thinking about retiring from the fundraising work. Watching Jayden has energized him, he said.
Anyone worried about the future of America should just watch someone like Jayden to know that our country has bright days ahead, Gust said.
“Not only is she changing her community, she’s changing all of us,” he said. “She’s my inspiration. She keeps me going.”
Words of Wisdom
Last week I asked for “words of wisdom,” appropriate for a child entering adulthood.
Longtime Twin Cities businessman George Godding, replied with a phrase that has served him well since learning it at a young age.
“I was a young man of 23, an energetic loan officer with Evergreen Savings and Loan in Chehalis,” Godding wrote by email. “Dick Uhlmann was the chairman of the board of directors. Dick once told me if you are asked a question and don’t know the answer, rather than trying to bluff an acceptable answer, simply admit: ‘I don’t know, BUT I’ll find out the answer!’”
Great insight. I’d love to hear other words of wisdom.
(I’m also ever mindful of the sage reply when I asked the wise Ila Beckwith of Salkum for life advice. With her classic smile and giggle, she told me: “One piece of advice: Don’t give it!”
That insight has served me well for many years now, and it’s my favorite advice to give.)
•••
What words have inspired you to service or helped guide your way? I’d appreciate hearing them at brianmittge@hotmail.com
