It’s been a very busy October for me. On the 9th, I flew to Rochester, NY to be trained in my new position as a Team Hope volunteer. Team Hope matches selected volunteers with family members who have a missing loved one so that they may assist them with resources and comfort them in their time of need. Who better to work with families of the missing than someone who understands this tragedy?  (www.teamhope.org)

The training was quite intense as volunteers shared their stories with the group. No one was spared tears as we shared the pain of having a missing loved one. It was difficult, yet there was a healing aspect to it. I left New York exhausted, but ready to take on new challenges and continue on with the work that I believe that God wants me to do, which is to help other families in our position, that is to have a missing loved one.

A few days after my return, I was given The Light of Wellness award for demonstrating a great change in my health from utilizing our wellness program at work. (Weight Watchers and gym membership)  It was a wonderful celebration of life. All of the 10 recipients were awe inspiring, and I was proud to be among them. Then the lights dimmed and they showed a photo presentation of the award winners & talked about their accomplishments. When I saw my name on the screen, my lip started to quiver. They used quite a few of the photos of me
from this page, including my BRAN photo & the "Weight Limited Road" photo,
which I love.

They also talked about the weight loss, my biking, my weight loss seminars, plus I had a mention of Project Jason, too! My lip continued to quiver. I was trying hard not to cry with the emotion of it all. One of the two ladies who nominated me told me that this was going to open another door for me. I thought that was really cool. Our previous HR manager even came because she told me that she wanted to see me accept this award & that she was so in awe of my accomplishments. I told her what that I was just an ordinary girl from Central Nebraska and that it is God who enables me to these things. After the slide show, the awards were presented. It went by in a blur in some ways, but I was conscious of all the cheering & clapping going on when my name was called. It drowned out the emcee, who was telling more of my
story. After everyone had their award, we received a standing ovation. I'm sure it's a moment that I won't ever forget.

I had photos taken with the man whom the award was named after, and even the
speaker, a well known cancer survivor, Michael Samuelson.

After this is was back to work on Project Jason, the nonprofit organization which I founded to assist families of the missing and to educate the public and bring about more awareness of missing persons. We are currently working hard on our public rollout in November. Our future website, ProjectJason.Org will be up by the end of the month.

Many ask about updates on our missing son’s status. Sadly, there is nothing to report. We don’t know anything more than we did back on June 13, 2001, the last day that anyone saw Jason. We do know that we will see him again someday, we just do not know where that will take place.

Some of you have asked about donations to Project Jason. Due to individual state regulations about charity solicitations, we can only accept donations from citizens of the following:   

Alabama, Canada, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Sometime next year (2004) we expect to be able to accept donations from all 50 states.  Donations may be sent to:     Project Jason  P.O. Box 3035  Omaha, NE  68103

This is our Mission Statement:

“Our mission as a nonprofit organization is to create and increase public awareness of missing people through a variety of outreach and educational activities. Project Jason seeks to bring hope and assistance to families of the missing by providing resources and support.”

Thank you for your support of me on my journey and your constant prayers for our cause.

Kelly                     *IRS 501 c 3 Status Pending

In Rochester, NY for my training as a Team Hope volunteer. October 9-12, 2003

With Patty Wetterling, co-founder of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation, and Abby Potash, administrator for Team Hope.

With my family at the Light of Wellness awards banquet on October 16, 2003.

Halloween 2003 (at work)

Update from December 2003:

 

December was incredibly busy for me with the start-up of Project Jason. I had to put my seminar business on hold to be able to get things accomplished  We had a successful first fundraiser, which was a simple raffle drawing. We were able to get some press with more coming! You can read two  news stories by clicking here and then here.  The start-up of Project Jason is exciting, yet bittersweet. That I should be in the position of needing to do this is bittersweet.

Another Christmas came and went without knowing what has become of our son. There is no right choice but to go on, doing what we feel God desires of us.  He gives me the energy and strength.

Besides finding Jason, my dreams for 2004 include getting national press for him. I have worked on that for over 2 1/2 years and will not quit. In addition, I will see Project Jason be successful and help other families. I want to give at least one No Excuses Seminar per quarter, or more as time permits.

I believe I can do it, and I will do it. You, too, can make your dreams become a reality, if you believe you can. Never give up!  I won’t.

 

 

 

Project Jason Child ID Kit distribution that took place on Saturday, January 24th at the Crossroads Mall. Left to right: Omaha Police Officer Colleen Baylor, Board Members Jesse Cleaver, Dan Buck, Doug Brown, Kelly Jolkowski, Ken Jolkowski, and volunteer Donita Jolkowski. Not pictured: Jim Jolkowski and Sue Jolkowski.