2006 - Today
Jonesin’ 4 A Cure began fundraising in 2006 for the MDA Walk that was held in 2007. We did this in support of our son Matt Jones, who was diagnosed in 2003 with a rare neuromuscular disease, myofibrillary myopathy. The MDA had just purchased Matt’s first scooter. The hope was to raise enough money to repay them.
The first year we only asked for cash donations and Terri, Matt’s wife, held a yard sale. Asking for cash is exhausting and folks want something for their money. One of our friends donated a Barbie with 29 handmade outfits, but we had no good avenue to sell chances. Another friend insisted that we have a chili dinner in the spring and sell raffle baskets. The early fall fundraiser has always been the yard sale. The first one made about $2,500 which we considered awesome and was held in our front yard. The 2016 yard sale was held at the South Harrison Community Center and it has become the monster of all yard sales. Matt and Terri hold an annual poker tournament and still collect personal donations mostly through the website.
I have been known to say after some of these events are over that I am “never doing that again!” But, after rest and inspiration from who knows where and knowing that aside from the research aspect, it takes $800 to send one child to summer camp. I get caught saying things about the next event. Jonesin’ 4 A Cure has sent a lot of children with neuromuscular diseases to summer camp.
The Elizabeth, Indiana and surrounding communities have been unbelievably supportive. Our friends, family, and acquaintances assist with every aspect of these fundraisers from storage of yard sale donated items, donating items, volunteering, cooking, baking, moving boxes, collecting donations, and etc. We could not do this without them and are so proud of this Team. Matt’s supporting Team from his work at Progressive, his now hometown of Pittsboro, Indiana, and friends from his college days at Indiana State University are also a big asset to Jonesin’ 4 A Cure.
Jonesin’ 4 A Cure has been the first place in family fundraising at the annual MDA Walk held in Indianapolis for many years. Somewhere along the way, Matt selected orange for our Team shirt color. Hence, we are the “The Big Orange Monster.” This year we were awarded an achievement award for having donated over $100,000 in the last four years and funded our own research project. This achievement is just an honor for the Team especially when you consider the size of this community.
- Patricia Jones, Founder, Chief Lunatic Herder.
